Isaiah 23:1

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

The Lord Will Judge Tyre This is an oracle about Tyre: Wail, you large ships, for the port is too devastated to enter! From the land of Cyprus this news is announced to them.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

מַשָּׂ֖א צֹ֑ר הֵילִ֣ילוּ ׀ אֳנִיּ֣וֹת תַּרְשִׁ֗ישׁ כִּֽי־שֻׁדַּ֤ד מִבַּ֙יִת֙ מִבּ֔וֹא מֵאֶ֥רֶץ כִּתִּ֖ים נִגְלָה־לָֽמוֹ׃

Transliteration

Maśśā Ṣōr hêlîlû ʾŏnîyôt Taršîš kî-šuddad mibbayit mibbôʾ from-ʾereṣ Kittîm niglāh-to-them

Grammar Details

• *Maśśā*: construct, masculine singular - burden/oracle against
• *Ṣōr*: proper noun - Tyre
• *hêlîlû*: imperative, masculine plural - wail/howl
• *ʾŏnîyôt*: noun, feminine plural - ships
• *Taršîš*: proper noun - Tarshish
• *kî*: conjunction - for/because
• *šuddad*: pual perfect, 3rd masculine singular - it is devastated/destroyed
• *mibbayit*: preposition + noun - from house/home
• *mibbôʾ*: preposition + infinitive construct - from entering/coming
• *ʾereṣ*: noun, feminine singular construct - land of
• *Kittîm*: proper noun - Kittim/Cyprus/Mediterranean islands
• *niglāh*-*lāmô*: niphal perfect, 3rd masculine singular + preposition with 3rd masculine plural suffix - it is revealed to them

Word Meanings

• *Maśśā*: burden/oracle/pronouncement/prophecy
• *šuddad*: destroyed/devastated/laid waste
• *mibbayit*: from house/without a house/from port
• *mibbôʾ*: from entering/from harbor/from haven
• *Kittîm*: Cyprus/Mediterranean coast/Greek islands
• *niglāh*-*lāmô*: it is revealed/disclosed/made known to them

Referenced Verses

• Joel 3:4-8 : 4 Why are you doing these things to me, Tyre and Sidon? Are you trying to get even with me, land of Philistia? If you are, I will very quickly repay you for what you have done! 5 For you took my silver and my gold and brought my precious valuables to your own palaces. 6 You sold Judeans and Jerusalemites to the Greeks, removing them far from their own country. 7 Look! I am rousing them from that place to which you sold them. I will repay you for what you have done! 8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah. They will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away. Indeed, the LORD has spoken!
• Amos 1:9-9 : 9 This is what the LORD says:“Because Tyre has committed three crimes– make that four!– I will not revoke my decree of judgment. They sold a whole community to Edom; they failed to observe a treaty of brotherhood. 10 So I will set fire to Tyre’s city wall; fire will consume her fortresses.”
• Gen 10:4 : 4 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittim, and the Dodanim.
• Isa 2:16 : 16 for all the large ships, for all the impressive ships.
• Jer 25:22 : 22 all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon; all the kings of the coastlands along the sea;
• Jer 47:4 : 4 For the time has come to destroy all the Philistines. The time has come to destroy all the help that remains for Tyre and Sidon. For I, the LORD, will destroy the Philistines, that remnant that came from the island of Crete.
• Isa 23:12 : 12 He said,“You will no longer celebrate, oppressed virgin daughter Sidon! Get up, travel to Cyprus, but you will find no relief there.”
• 1 Kgs 10:22 : 22 Along with Hiram’s fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
• 1 Kgs 22:48 : 48 Jehoshaphat built a fleet of large merchant ships to travel to Ophir for gold, but they never made the voyage because they were shipwrecked in Ezion Geber.
• Zech 9:2-4 : 2 as are those of Hamath also, which adjoins Damascus, and Tyre and Sidon, though they consider themselves to be very wise. 3 Tyre built herself a fortification and piled up silver like dust and gold like the mud of the streets! 4 Nevertheless the Lord will evict her and shove her fortifications into the sea– she will be consumed by fire.
• Jer 2:10 : 10 Go west across the sea to the coasts of Cyprus and see. Send someone east to Kedar and have them look carefully. See if such a thing as this has ever happened:
• Jer 25:10-11 : 10 I will put an end to the sounds of joy and gladness, to the glad celebration of brides and grooms in these lands. I will put an end to the sound of people grinding meal. I will put an end to lamps shining in their houses. 11 This whole area will become a desolate wasteland. These nations will be subject to the king of Babylon for seventy years.’
• Jer 25:15 : 15 Judah and the Nations Will Experience God’s Wrath So the LORD, the God of Israel, spoke to me in a vision.“Take this cup from my hand. It is filled with the wine of my wrath. Take it and make the nations to whom I send you drink it.
• Rev 18:17-19 : 17 because in a single hour such great wealth has been destroyed!” And every ship’s captain, and all who sail along the coast– seamen, and all who make their living from the sea, stood a long way off 18 and began to shout when they saw the smoke from the fire that burned her up,“Who is like the great city?” 19 And they threw dust on their heads and were shouting with weeping and mourning,“Woe, Woe, O great city– in which all those who had ships on the sea got rich from her wealth– because in a single hour she has been destroyed!”
• Rev 18:22-23 : 22 And the sound of the harpists, musicians, flute players, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again. No craftsman who practices any trade will ever be found in you again; the noise of a mill will never be heard in you again. 23 Even the light from a lamp will never shine in you again! The voices of the bridegroom and his bride will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the tycoons of the world, because all the nations were deceived by your magic spells!
• 2 Chr 9:21 : 21 The king had a fleet of large merchant ships manned by Huram’s men that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
• Ps 48:7 : 7 With an east wind you shatter the large ships.
• Num 24:24 : 24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim, and will afflict Asshur, and will afflict Eber, and he will also perish forever.”
• Josh 19:29 : 29 It then turned toward Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre, turned to Hosah, and ended at the sea near Hebel, Achzib,
• 1 Kgs 5:1 : 1 Solomon Gathers Building Materials for the Temple(5:15) King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in his father’s place.(Hiram had always been an ally of David.)
• Isa 24:10 : 10 The ruined town is shattered; all of the houses are shut up tight.
• Isa 60:9 : 9 Indeed, the coastlands look eagerly for me, the large ships are in the lead, bringing your sons from far away, along with their silver and gold, to honor the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has bestowed honor on you.
• Isa 15:1-2 : 1 The Lord Will Judge Moab This is an oracle about Moab: Indeed, in a night it is devastated, Ar of Moab is destroyed! Indeed, in a night it is devastated, Kir of Moab is destroyed! 2 They went up to the temple, the people of Dibon went up to the high places to lament. Because of what happened to Nebo and Medeba, Moab wails. Every head is shaved bare, every beard is trimmed off.
• Isa 15:8 : 8 Indeed, the cries of distress echo throughout Moabite territory; their wailing can be heard in Eglaim and Beer Elim.
• Ezek 26:1-28:24 : 1 A Prophecy Against Tyre In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the LORD’s message came to me: 2 “Son of man, because Tyre has said about Jerusalem,‘Aha, the gateway of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I will become rich, now that she has been destroyed,’ 3 therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look, I am against you, O Tyre! I will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. 4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers. I will scrape her soil from her and make her a bare rock. 5 She will be a place where fishing nets are spread, surrounded by the sea. For I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD. She will become plunder for the nations, 6 and her daughters who are in the field will be slaughtered by the sword. Then they will know that I am the LORD. 7 “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Take note that I am about to bring King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon, king of kings, against Tyre from the north, with horses, chariots, and horsemen, an army and hordes of people. 8 He will kill your daughters in the field with the sword. He will build a siege wall against you, erect a siege ramp against you, and raise a great shield against you. 9 He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and tear down your towers with his weapons. 10 He will cover you with the dust kicked up by his many horses. Your walls will shake from the noise of the horsemen, wheels, and chariots when he enters your gates like those who invade through a city’s broken walls. 11 With his horses’ hoofs he will trample all your streets. He will kill your people with the sword, and your strong pillars will tumble down to the ground. 12 They will steal your wealth and loot your merchandise. They will tear down your walls and destroy your luxurious homes. Your stones, your trees, and your soil he will throw into the water. 13 I will silence the noise of your songs; the sound of your harps will be heard no more. 14 I will make you a bare rock; you will be a place where fishing nets are spread. You will never be built again, for I, the LORD, have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD. 15 “This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Tyre: Oh, how the coastlands will shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan, at the massive slaughter in your midst! 16 All the princes of the sea will vacate their thrones. They will remove their robes and strip off their embroidered clothes; they will clothe themselves with trembling. They will sit on the ground; they will tremble continually and be shocked at what has happened to you. 17 They will sing this lament over you:“‘How you have perished– you have vanished from the seas, O renowned city, once mighty in the sea, she and her inhabitants, who spread their terror! 18 Now the coastlands will tremble on the day of your fall; the coastlands by the sea will be terrified by your passing.’ 19 “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I make you desolate like the uninhabited cities, when I bring up the deep over you and the surging waters overwhelm you, 20 then I will bring you down to bygone people, to be with those who descend to the Pit. I will make you live in the lower parts of the earth, among the primeval ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will not be inhabited or stand in the land of the living. 21 I will bring terrors on you, and you will be no more! Though you are sought after, you will never be found again, declares the Sovereign LORD.” 1 A Lament for Tyre The LORD’s message came to me: 2 “You, son of man, sing a lament for Tyre. 3 Say to Tyre, who sits at the entrance of the sea, merchant to the peoples on many coasts,‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:“‘O Tyre, you have said,“I am perfectly beautiful.” 4 Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders have perfected your beauty. 5 They crafted all your planks out of fir trees from Senir; they took a cedar from Lebanon to make your mast. 6 They made your oars from oaks of Bashan; they made your deck with cypress wood from the coasts of Cyprus. 7 Fine linen from Egypt, woven with patterns, was used for your sail to serve as your banner; blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah was used for your deck’s awning. 8 The leaders of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; your skilled men, O Tyre, were your captains. 9 The elders of Gebal and her skilled men were within you, mending cracks; all the ships of the sea and their mariners were within you to trade for your merchandise. 10 Men of Persia, Lud, and Put were in your army, men of war. They hung shield and helmet on you; they gave you your splendor. 11 The Arvadites joined your army on your walls all around, and the Gammadites were in your towers. They hung their quivers on your walls all around; they perfected your beauty. 12 “‘Tarshish was your trade partner because of your abundant wealth; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your products. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your clients; they exchanged slaves and bronze items for your merchandise. 14 Beth Togarmah exchanged horses, chargers, and mules for your products. 15 The Dedanites were your clients. Many coastlands were your customers; they paid you with ivory tusks and ebony. 16 Edom was your trade partner because of the abundance of your goods; they exchanged turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies for your products. 17 Judah and the land of Israel were your clients; they traded wheat from Minnith, millet, honey, olive oil, and balm for your merchandise. 18 Damascus was your trade partner because of the abundance of your goods and of all your wealth: wine from Helbon, white wool from Zahar, 19 and casks of wine from Izal they exchanged for your products. Wrought iron, cassia, and sweet cane were among your merchandise. 20 Dedan was your client in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your trade partners; for lambs, rams, and goats they traded with you. 22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah engaged in trade with you; they traded the best kinds of spices along with precious stones and gold for your products. 23 Haran, Kanneh, Eden, merchants from Sheba, Asshur, and Kilmad were your clients. 24 They traded with you choice garments, purple clothes and embroidered work, and multicolored carpets, bound and reinforced with cords; these were among your merchandise. 25 The ships of Tarshish were the transports for your merchandise.“‘So you were filled and weighed down in the heart of the seas. 26 Your rowers have brought you into surging waters. The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the seas. 27 Your wealth, products, and merchandise, your sailors and captains, your ship’s carpenters, your merchants, and all your fighting men within you, along with all your crew who are in you, will fall into the heart of the seas on the day of your downfall. 28 At the sound of your captains’ cry the waves will surge; 29 They will descend from their ships– all who handle the oar, the sailors and all the sea captains– they will stand on the land. 30 They will lament loudly over you and cry bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in the ashes; 31 they will tear out their hair because of you and put on sackcloth, and they will weep bitterly over you with intense mourning. 32 As they wail they will lament over you, chanting:“Who was like Tyre, like a tower in the midst of the sea?” 33 When your products went out from the seas, you satisfied many peoples; with the abundance of your wealth and merchandise you enriched the kings of the earth. 34 Now you are wrecked by the seas, in the depths of the waters; your merchandise and all your company have sunk along with you. 35 All the inhabitants of the coastlands are shocked at you, and their kings are horribly afraid– their faces are troubled. 36 The traders among the peoples hiss at you; you have become a horror, and will be no more.’” 1 A Prophecy Against the King of Tyre The LORD’s message came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre,‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:“‘Your heart is proud and you said,“I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods, in the heart of the seas”– yet you are a man and not a god, though you think you are godlike. 3 Look, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you. 4 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself; you have amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 By your great skill in trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart is proud because of your wealth. 6 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you think you are godlike, 7 I am about to bring foreigners against you, the most terrifying of nations. They will draw their swords against the grandeur made by your wisdom, and they will defile your splendor. 8 They will bring you down to the Pit, and you will die violently in the heart of the seas. 9 Will you still say,“I am a god,” before the one who kills you– though you are a man and not a god– when you are in the power of those who wound you? 10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of foreigners; for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.’” 11 The LORD’s message came to me: 12 “Son of man, sing a lament for the king of Tyre, and say to him,‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:“‘You were the sealer of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and emerald, the chrysolite, onyx, and jasper, the sapphire, turquoise, and beryl; your settings and mounts were made of gold. On the day you were created they were prepared. 14 I placed you there with an anointed guardian cherub; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked about amidst fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your behavior from the day you were created, until sin was discovered in you. 16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned; so I defiled you and banished you from the mountain of God– the guardian cherub expelled you from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom on account of your splendor. I threw you down to the ground; I placed you before kings, that they might see you. 18 By the multitude of your iniquities, through the sinfulness of your trade, you desecrated your sanctuaries. So I drew fire out from within you; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth before the eyes of all who saw you. 19 All who know you among the peoples are shocked at you; you have become terrified and will be no more.’” 20 A Prophecy Against Sidon The LORD’s message came to me: 21 “Son of man, turn toward Sidon and prophesy against it. 22 Say,‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:“‘Look, I am against you, Sidon, and I will magnify myself in your midst. Then they will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments on her and reveal my sovereign power in her. 23 I will send a plague into the city and bloodshed into its streets; the slain will fall within it, by the sword that attacks it from every side. Then they will know that I am the LORD. 24 “‘No longer will Israel suffer from the sharp briers or painful thorns of all who surround and scorn them. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.
• Dan 11:30 : 30 The ships of Kittim will come against him, leaving him disheartened. He will turn back and direct his indignation against the holy covenant. He will return and honor those who forsake the holy covenant.