The Fall of Tyre Announced
Study note
Tyre was a major port city on the coast of modern-day Lebanon. Along with its neighbor Sidon (also called Zidon), it controlled much of the Mediterranean sea trade. Ships from Tarshish (likely in Spain) carried goods across vast distances. Chittim refers to the island of Cyprus. The news of Tyre's destruction reaches the sailors at sea, leaving them stunned and homeless.
1 This is a message about the city of Tyre. Cry out in grief, you ships from Tarshish! Tyre has been wiped out. There is no harbor left, no port to enter. The news reached them all the way from the island of Cyprus. The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
2 Sit in stunned silence, you coastal people. The merchants of Sidon who sailed the seas once made you wealthy. Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
3 Tyre's income came from grain shipped across the wide waters. The harvest of the Nile River was her profit. She served as a marketplace for many nations. And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
4 Feel the shame, O Sidon, for the sea itself has spoken. The fortress of the sea declares, 'I never went through labor or gave birth. I never raised sons or brought up daughters.' Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.
5 When the news about Tyre reaches Egypt, the people there will be shaken to the core. As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
6 Run to Tarshish! Wail in grief, you people of the coast! Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
7 Is this truly your happy, ancient city? Its people used to go on long trips to settle in faraway lands. Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.
God's Purpose Behind the Destruction
Study note
Isaiah explains that the Lord of Heaven's Armies himself planned the downfall of Tyre. The city's merchants were treated like princes, and its traders were honored throughout the world. God's purpose was to humble the pride of all who relied on wealth and power instead of him. The Chaldeans (Babylonians) are mentioned as instruments of destruction.
8 Who planned this disaster against Tyre? She used to crown kings! Her merchants were like royalty. Her traders were respected all over the world. Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?
9 The Lord who rules over all planned it. He did it to pop the bubble of those who thought they were so great and to knock down everyone the world admires. The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.
10 Spread out across your land like a flooding river, people of Tarshish. Nobody is holding you back anymore. Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.
11 The Lord reached out his hand over the sea and shook entire kingdoms. He gave the order to demolish the trading centers and fortresses of this merchant city. He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.
12 He said, 'Your celebrations are over, crushed people of Sidon. Get up and flee to Cyprus, but even there you will find no rest.' And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
13 Take a look at the land of the Babylonians. This group of people did not even exist as a nation until the Assyrians organized it for the desert dwellers. They set up siege towers and tore down palaces, turning the whole place into a heap of ruins. Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.
14 Wail in grief, you ships of Tarshish! Your stronghold has been demolished. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
Tyre's Future Restoration
Study note
After seventy years of being forgotten, Tyre will return to its trading ways. Isaiah compares the city to a forgotten singing woman who walks through the streets trying to attract attention again. But in the end, Tyre's profits will not be hoarded. Instead, they will be dedicated to the Lord and used to provide food and clothing for those who serve him.
15 Tyre will then be forgotten for seventy years — about the length of one king's lifetime. After seventy years, Tyre will try to get noticed again, like a forgotten singer trying to be remembered. And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.
16 Pick up a harp and walk around the city, you forgotten singer. Play your sweetest music and sing your best songs so people will think of you again. Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
17 After those seventy years, the Lord will bring Tyre back. She will return to her old ways and do business with every kingdom in the world. And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
18 But this time, her profits and earnings will be set apart as holy to the Lord. Her wealth will not be stacked away or hoarded. Instead, it will go to support those who serve the Lord, giving them plenty of food and fine clothing. And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.