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Scripture Study: Isaiah 23:1-11
Jun. 12, 2026
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Isaiah, Chapter 23
[1] 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] Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. [3] And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations. [4] 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] As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre. [6] Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle. [7] Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn. [8] 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 of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. [10] Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength. [11] 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. |
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What is being prophesied in this chapter?
The eventual conquering of the port city of Tyre. This is the last of the series of destructions of other lands prophesied by Isaiah in his writing to Israel. It appears that this particular prophecy was fulfilled in 332 BC when Alexander the Great overtook the city. What additional points of information are of importance in understanding this chapter?
See below.
Where is Zidon?
Zidon is actually Sidon, which is a city located near Tyre. What is being said in verse 4?
It appears that the sea is supposed to be talking, mourning the loss of sailors sailing on it (as if these were the children of the sea). Who else will mourn the loss of Tyre?
Egypt is mentioned in verse 5, and Tarshish (as a place that sent out ships to Tyre) is mentioned in verse 6. Who is responsible for the conquering of Tyre?
The Lord is responsible. Even though it was Alexander the Great’s army who did the conquering, it was orchestrated by God. This is similar to other times mentioned by Isaiah where God used armies of other ungodly people (such as the Assyrians) to do his bidding. This series of articles on the Book of Isaiah is an outgrowth of a series of lessons presented at a branch level and is being offered as a study tool for all readers. The interpretations offered are not intended to represent an official position of The Church of Jesus Christ, however they have been reviewed by members of the ministry and can be considered a reliable supplement to any reader’s study of the Book of Isaiah.
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