Isaiah · Chapter 23

V. 1. Of Tyre-The prophecy of the heavy calamity and destruction of Tyre. Tyre was, according to this prophecy, destroyed; first by Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards by Alexander the great. And tho’ this prophecy seemed directly to respect the former destruction, yet it seems to have some reference to the latter also; only it is intimated, that after seventy years, Tyre should recover some former power and glory, before her second and final destruction. Howl-To which howling and lamenting is ascribed by a known figure. No house-So effectually wasted, that there is not an house left in it, nor any merchants or others that go into it, for traffick. Chittim-He mentions the land of Chittim, because this was an eminent place for shipping and trading, and therefore doubtless had great dealings with Tyre. It may here be put for all other countries which traded with her. It is not necessary to determine what Chittim is; it is sufficient to know, that it was a seafaring place in the Midland Sea.

Verse 1. The burden of Tyre] Tyre, a city on the coast of Syria, about lat. 32° N. was built two thousand seven hundred and sixty years before Christ. There were two cities of this name; one on the continent, and the other on an island, about half a mile from the shore; the city on the island was about four miles in circumference. Old Tyre resisted Nebuchadnezzar for thirteen years; then the inhabitants carried, so to speak, the city to the forementioned island, Isaiah 23:4. This new city held out against Alexander the Great for seven months; who, in order to take it, was obliged to fill up the channel which separated it from the main land. In A.D. 1289 it was totally destroyed by the sultan of Egypt; and now contains only a few huts, in which about fifty or sixty wretched families exist. This desolation was foretold by this prophet and by Ezekiel, one thousand nine hundred years before it took place!

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish] This prophecy denounces the destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. It opens with an address to the Tyrian negotiators and sailors at Tarshish, (Tartessus, in Spain,) a place which, in the course of their trade, they greatly frequented. The news of the destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar is said to be brought to them from Chittim, the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean; “for the Tyrians,” says Jerome on Isaiah 23:6, “when they saw they had no other means of escaping, fled in their ships, and took refuge in Carthage and in the islands of the Ionian and Ægean sea.” From whence the news would spread and reach Tarshish; so also Jarchi on the same place. This seems to be the most probable interpretation of this verse.

Verse 1. The burden of Tyre — Tyre was an ancient and wealthy city, situated upon the Mediterranean sea, and for many ages one of the most celebrated cities in those parts of the world. The Greek geographer, Strabo, says, that after Sidon, it was the greatest and most ancient city of the Phenicians. Accordingly, Bishop Lowth makes no question but it is meant Joshua 19:29, where mention is made of the strong city Tyre, as existing when Canaan was divided by lot to the tribes of Israel. And it is mentioned also in the fragments of Sanchoniathon, the Phenician historian, who is reckoned to have lived about the time of Gideon, or somewhat later. In the days of David and Solomon it evidently appears to have been a place of great note, and it continued and increased in its commerce, wealth, population, and power, during the reigns of the subsequent kings of Israel and Judah. When Isaiah uttered this prophecy respecting its desolation, (which he did one hundred and twenty-five years at least before its accomplishment,) it stood firm in its strength and glory, abounded in riches, and was especially mighty in naval power, having lately conquered the navy which the Assyrians had brought against it. Yet this city, according to this prophecy, was destroyed, and that twice; first by Nebuchadnezzar, and long afterward by Alexander the Great. The former it withstood thirteen years, at the end or which time the inhabitants, wearied out by endless efforts, resolved to place the sea between them and their enemy, and accordingly passed into an island about half a mile from the shore, where, as Vitringa has proved at large from good authorities, a smaller city already stood, accounted a part of Tyre, and where had long been the principal station for ships. The city on the island was by this means greatly enlarged, and was afterward termed New Tyre. This stood out against Alexander seven months; and before he could take it he was obliged to fill up the strait which separated the island from the continent. Although this prophecy first and more directly respects the former destruction, yet it seems to have some reference to the latter also; only it is here foretold, that seventy years after the former destruction, and before the latter, Tyre should recover her former power and glory, which came to pass accordingly. This is the eighth and last discourse of the second part of Isaiah’s prophecies.

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish — By Tarshish, it seems, Tartessus in Spain is meant, a place which, in the course of trade, the Tyrians greatly frequented: see note on Isaiah 2:16. Howling and lamenting are ascribed to the ships by a known figure; for it is laid waste — It shall shortly be laid waste; so that there is no house, &c. — Every house, or warehouse, shall be shut up, and all trade shall cease. From the land of Chittim it is revealed to them — Namely, to the ships, that is, the negotiators and mariners of Tarshish, whose gain proceeded principally from Tyre, and whom the prophet here addresses; as if he had said, “Lament and deplore the mournful fall of this city, which you shall hear of while you are trafficking in the most distant parts of the Mediterranean sea.” Chittim, in Scripture, signifies all the countries lying upon that sea; and the words import that the news of the siege of Tyre should be dispersed through them all. Indeed, according to Jerome on verse 6, when the Tyrians saw they had no other means of escaping except by sea, while some of them fled in their ships to the adjoining island, as mentioned above, others of them took refuge in Carthage, and in the islands of the Ionian and Ægean seas, from whence the news would easily reach Tarshish.

Verse 1. The burden of Tyre. This was one of the most ancient cities of Phœnicia, situate on a rock, seven hundred paces from the shore, though now joined to the land by the working of the sea. The Zidonians built and fortified Tyre for safety in time of war. It was rebuilt and improved by king Agenor, father of Cadmus. Genesis 11:4. In Joshua’s time it was called the strong city, and fell to the lot of Aser; but being deemed impregnable, no conquest was attempted. After the destruction of Troy, Æneas found protection with the Tyrians and sailed to Carthage, and finally to Italy. Tyre was the mother of navigation, the emporium of merchandise, and covered the seas with her ships. It had part of its city on the opposite shore. The inhabitants, though Canaanites at first, would by commerce presently become mixed nations.

Nebuchadnezzar besieged this strong place for thirteen years; during which time the redundant population were sent away to Carthage, and to the Grecian ports. When the Tyrians could hold out no longer, the merchants fled with their ships and riches to Carthage. When the city was stormed, eight were put to death, and two thousand crucified, the conquerors being enraged that they found no reward for their long siege.

1. Ships of Tarshish — The Mediterranean fleet, especially the larger vessels which plied between the Phoenician coast (for all cities and towns on the coast were sea-faring,) and Tartessus in Spain. Is laid waste — This is spoken of Tyre. It is so seen in vision. From… Chittim it is revealed — Cyprus, or Citium, a chief port in Cyprus. The vision takes in seamen returning and hearing from the colony at Cyprus bad news of Tyre.

V. 2. Be still-Heb. be silent, boast no more of thy wealth and power. The isle-Of Tyre, which was an island, ‘till Alexander joined it to the continent. The title of islands is often given by the Hebrews to places bordering upon the sea. That pass-That are a sea-faring people. Replenished-With manners, and commodities.

Verse 2. Be still— “Be silent”] Silence is a mark of grief and consternation. See Isaiah 47:5. Jeremiah has finely expressed this image:—

“The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground, they are silent: They have cast up dust on their heads,

they have girded themselves with sackcloth.

The virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.” Lamentations 2:10.

Verses 2, 3. Be still, ye inhabitants of the isles — Hebrew, wmd, be silent; as persons confounded, and not knowing what to say, or as mourners use to be. Silence is a mark of grief and consternation: see Isaiah 47:5; Lamentations 11:10. The prophet here addresses the people of Tyre now fled to the island. The title of island, however, is often given by the Hebrews to places not surrounded by the sea, but only bordering upon it; whom the merchants of Zidon have replenished — With mariners and commodities. Tyre and Sidon, being cities near each other, and both famous for merchandise and navigation, helped to enrich each other. And by great waters the seed of Sihor, &c. — Sihor here means the river Nile, so called, as it is also Jeremiah 2:18, and 1 Chronicles 13:5, from the blackness of its waters charged with the mud, which it brings down from Ethiopia, when it overflows; as it was called by the Greeks Melas, and by the Latins Melo, for the same reason. “The English translation,” says Lowth, “published under Queen Elizabeth, gives us a clearer sense of this verse thus: The seed of Nilus, growing by the abundance of waters, and the harvest of the river was her revenues.” Egypt, by its extraordinary fertility, caused by the overflowing of the Nile, supplied the neighbouring nations with corn, by which branch of trade the Tyrians gained great wealth.

2. Be still — Or, dumb with astonishment. Isle — In Hebrew, this word applies to the coast, whether of island or mainland. Therefore, the inhabitants of the towns on the Mediterranean are here addressed, who were enriched by commerce with Phoenicia. Zidon was a city of honour, not because greater, but because more ancient, than Tyre.

Verse 3. The seed of Sihor— “The seed of the Nile”] The Nile is called here Shichor, as it is Jeremiah 2:18, and 1 Chronicles 13:5. It had this name from the blackness of its waters, charged with the mud which it brings down from Ethiopia when it overflows, Et viridem Ægyptum nigra fecundat arena; as it was called by the Greeks Melas, and by the Latins Melo, for the same reason. See Servius on the above line of Virgil, Georg. iv. 291. It was called Siris by the Ethiopians, by some supposed to be the same with Shichor. Egypt by its extraordinary fertility, caused by the overflowing of the Nile supplied the neighbouring nations with corn, by which branch of trade the Tyrians gained great wealth.

Verses 2, 3. Be still, ye inhabitants of the isles — Hebrew, wmd, be silent; as persons confounded, and not knowing what to say, or as mourners use to be. Silence is a mark of grief and consternation: see Isaiah 47:5; Lamentations 11:10. The prophet here addresses the people of Tyre now fled to the island. The title of island, however, is often given by the Hebrews to places not surrounded by the sea, but only bordering upon it; whom the merchants of Zidon have replenished — With mariners and commodities. Tyre and Sidon, being cities near each other, and both famous for merchandise and navigation, helped to enrich each other. And by great waters the seed of Sihor, &c. — Sihor here means the river Nile, so called, as it is also Jeremiah 2:18, and 1 Chronicles 13:5, from the blackness of its waters charged with the mud, which it brings down from Ethiopia, when it overflows; as it was called by the Greeks Melas, and by the Latins Melo, for the same reason. “The English translation,” says Lowth, “published under Queen Elizabeth, gives us a clearer sense of this verse thus: The seed of Nilus, growing by the abundance of waters, and the harvest of the river was her revenues.” Egypt, by its extraordinary fertility, caused by the overflowing of the Nile, supplied the neighbouring nations with corn, by which branch of trade the Tyrians gained great wealth.

Ver. 3. The seed of Sihor, the river which limited the southern boundary of the promised land. 2 Chronicles 13:5.—The harvest of the river, the Nile. The reference is to the manner of sowing corn, as the inundation retired. Ecclesiastes 11:1. The harvests of the rivers formed a principal source of Tyrian wealth.

3. By great waters — Across the sea to Egypt. The grain of the Nile land (called here Sihor, black, the black deposits of yearly fertile mud) is Tyre’s revenue. Egypt was the great emporium of the nations.

V. 4. Zidon-Zidon was a great city near Tyre, strongly united to her by commerce and league, and called by some the mother of Tyre, which they say, was built and first inhabited by a colony of the Sidonians. The sea-That part of the sea in which Tyre was, and from which ships and men were sent into all countries. The strength-Tyre might be called the strength of the sea, because it defendeth that part of the sea from piracies and injuries. I travel not-I, who was so fruitful, that I sent forth colonies into other countries (of which Carthage was one), am now barren and desolate.

Verse 4. Be thou ashamed, O Zidon] Tyre is called Isaiah 23:12, the daughter of Sidon. “The Sidonians,” says Justin, xviii. 3, “when their city was taken by the king of Ascalon, betook themselves to their ships, and landed, and built by Tyre.” Sidon, as the mother city is supposed to be deeply affected with the calamity of her daughter.

Nor bring up virgins— “Nor educated virgins.”] ytmmwrw veromamti; so an ancient MS. Of Dr. Kennicott’s prefixing the w vau, which refers to the negative preceding, and is equivalent to alw velo. See Deuteronomy 23:6; Proverbs 30:3. Two of my own MSS. have w vau in the margin.

Verse 4. Be thou ashamed, O Zidon — Tyre is called the daughter of Zidon, verse 12, being built and first inhabited by a colony of the Zidonians. Or, rather, as Justin says, “The Zidonians, when their city was taken by the king of Ascalon, betook themselves to their ships, and landed and built Tyre.” Zidon, therefore, as the mother city, is here supposed to be deeply afflicted with the calamity of her daughter. For the sea hath spoken — That part of the sea in which Tyre was, and from which ships and men were sent into all countries; even the strength of the sea — This is added to explain what he meant by the sea, even Tyre, which might be called the strength of the sea, because it was strong at sea, both by its situation, and the strength of its naval forces; saying, I travail not, &c. — I, who was so fruitful that I sent forth colonies into other countries, (of which Carthage was one,) am now barren and desolate.

4. Ashamed — Zidon, or the whole Zidonian coast, is called to be confounded, mortified, because the sea… the strength of the sea, or Tyre — the rock fortress of the sea, the sea’s objective point in commerce — has waned in population because of wars, and she is for the future as good as barren.

V. 5. Waters-By the sea, which is very fitly called the great waters, understand, cometh, or is brought to her. The seed-The corn of Egypt, wherewith Egypt abounded. Sihor is the same as the Nile. The harvest-The plentiful harvest of corn which comes from the inundation of the Nile; emphatically called the river. The revenue-Is as plentifully enjoyed by her, as if it grew in her own territories. A mart-A place to which all nations resort for traffick.

Verse 5. As at the report concerning Egypt, &c. — “The words, as they stand in our translation, imply, that the Zidonians, spoken of verse 4, or in general other neighbouring places, should be as much concerned at the news of the destruction of Tyre as they were at the calamity of Egypt, mentioned chap. 19. But there is a difficulty in admitting this sense, because the destruction of Tyre here spoken of was before that of Egypt, if we mean that calamity of Egypt which is usually joined with the destruction of Tyre in the prophets: see Jeremiah 25:19, 22; Ezekiel 29:18-20. Therefore others read this verse thus: As soon as the report of Tyre shall come to, or be heard in, Egypt, they shall be in great pain for it; namely, because they exported their corn to Tyre, and made a gainful trade by it.” — Lowth.

5. Concerning Egypt — The translation seems better thus: “At what time the report cometh to Egypt they shall bewail at the report of Tyre.” For the loss of Tyre is the loss of Egypt’s market for her products.

Verses 6, 7. Pass ye over to Tarshish — Flee from your own country to Tartessus in Spain, and there bewail your calamity. Or, betake yourselves for refuge to some of the parts to which you used to traffic. The LXX. say, eiv Karchdona, to Carthage, which was a colony transplanted from Tyre. Howl, ye inhabitants of the isle — Of Tyre, as verse 2. Is this your joyous city? — That formerly lived in so much pomp, and pleasure, and security? Whose antiquity is of ancient days — See on verse 1. Tyre, though not so old as Zidon, yet certainly was of very high antiquity. Justin, in the passage above quoted, had dated the building of it at a certain number of years before the taking of Troy; but the number is lost in the present copies. Her own feet shall carry her — Whereas before, like a delicate lady, she would not set her foot to the ground, but used to be carried in stately chariots; afar off to sojourn — To seek for new habitations.

Ver. 6. Pass ye over to Tarshish. The LXX read, Karchdonov, Carthage, and correctly no doubt. There is however another opinion given, 1 Kings 10:22; which is favoured by Bochart, and by Poole; but the navy of Hiram, king of Tyre, and the navy of Tarshish are distinctly named. Carthage was a daughter of Tyre, built, according to Boiste’s chronology, in the year of the world 2398, and embellished by queen Dido in 2480. It stood on a neck of land between Tunis and Utica, and became the metropolis of a powerful republic, comprising Tunis, Sardinia, Sicily, and a great part of Spain. In the space of a hundred and fifty years, she maintained three Punic wars with Rome; and Hannibal her general marched an army from Spain into the heart of Italy, and menaced the gates of Rome with fire. At length the senate passed the severe decree, Delenda est Carthago. Let Carthage be destroyed. When Scipio announced his orders, the inhabitants ran about the streets in a frantic manner, tearing their hair, and uttering piercing cries to their gods. But Carthage rose again by Roman colonies, and became a grand seat of christianity. It was finally ruined by the Arabs, and left to this day like Babylon, in a mass of confusion. BOISTE.

6. Tarshish — Tyre’s remote colonies, especially Tartessus, near the Straits of Gibraltar. In the stress upon Tyre her people are advised to seek refuge there. The siege by Nebuchadnezzar, and still more by Alexander, was sufficient occasion for such advice.

V. 7. Antiquity-Being built before Joshua’s time, Joshua 19:29. Her feet-Whereas before, like a delicate lady, she would not set her foot to the ground, but used to be carried in stately chariots. To sojourn-To seek for new habitations.

Verse 7. Whose antiquity is of ancient days— “Whose antiquity is of the earliest date”] Justin, in the passage above quoted, had dated the building of Tyre at a certain number of years before the taking of Troy; but the number is lost in the present copies. Tyre, though not so old as Sidon, was yet of very high antiquity: it was a strong city even in the time of Joshua. It is called rx rxbm ry[ ir mibtsar tsor, “the city of the fortress of Sor,” Joshua 19:29. Interpreters raise difficulties in regard to this passage, and will not allow it to have been so ancient; with what good reason I do not see, for it is called by the same name, “the fortress of Sor,” in the history of David, 2 Samuel 24:7, and the circumstances of the history determine the place to be the very same. See on Isaiah 23:1. Whose antiquity is of ancient days, may refer to Palætyrus, or Old Tyre. Her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.] This may belong to the new or insular Tyre; her own feet, that is, her own inhabitants, shall carry her-shall transport the city, from the continent to the island. “But the text says it shall be carried far off, and the new city was founded only half a mile distant from the other.” I answer, qwjrm merachok does not always signify a great distance, but distance or interval in general; for in Joshua 3:4 qwjr rachok is used to express the space between the camp and the ark, which we know to have been only two thousand cubits. Some refer the sojourning afar off to the extent of the commercial voyages undertaken by the Tyrians and their foreign connexions.

Verses 6, 7. Pass ye over to Tarshish — Flee from your own country to Tartessus in Spain, and there bewail your calamity. Or, betake yourselves for refuge to some of the parts to which you used to traffic. The LXX. say, eiv Karchdona, to Carthage, which was a colony transplanted from Tyre. Howl, ye inhabitants of the isle — Of Tyre, as verse 2. Is this your joyous city? — That formerly lived in so much pomp, and pleasure, and security? Whose antiquity is of ancient days — See on verse 1. Tyre, though not so old as Zidon, yet certainly was of very high antiquity. Justin, in the passage above quoted, had dated the building of it at a certain number of years before the taking of Troy; but the number is lost in the present copies. Her own feet shall carry her — Whereas before, like a delicate lady, she would not set her foot to the ground, but used to be carried in stately chariots; afar off to sojourn — To seek for new habitations.

7. Joyous city… ancient days — The question form here is from poetic fervour. Joyousness is supposed to imply luxury, recklessness, and pride of antiquity. Undisturbed prosperity for many years made them exultant and even arrogant. Feet… carry — Tropically, cities are sometimes called mothers, and Tyre is presented here as wandering (by means of ships) to her far-off children. For history of the Phoenicians see Smith’s Bible Dictionary, Kenrick, Renan, and others.

V. 8. Who-This is the word of God, and not of man. The crowning city-Which was a royal city, and carried away the crown from all other cities. Princes-Equal to princes for wealth, and power, and reputation.

Verses 8, 9. Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre? — Words of admiration. Who, and where, is he that could imagine, or durst attempt such a thing as this? This is the work of God, and not of man. The crowning city — Which was a royal city, and carried away the crown from all other cities: whose merchants are princes — Equal to princes for wealth, and power, and reputation. The Lord of hosts hath purposed it — This is the Lord’s own doing; to stain the pride of all glory — God’s design is, by this example, to abase the pride of all the potentates of the earth, that they may see how weak they are when he sets himself against them.

Ver. 8. Who hath taken counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, as to riches, splendour, architecture and commerce. Her merchants were princes, living in regal style, and loaded with wealth. Who could dare to storm the impregnable fortress, and ravage the queen of the seas. Ah, it was thy pride which made the Lord take counsel against thee, and decree to put the virgin’s neck under the rude yoke of the king of Babylon. The council of a senate should always act in subordination to the council in heaven.

8, 9. Who hath taken… counsel — Of whose purpose come results such as these upon great Tyre? Is it possible any one can bring such things about? The irony is withering, yet solemn and stately. Jehovah, to stain the glory of man — not at Tyre alone — hath done it. So always. The honourable — Solid men and families, as society calls them, sooner or later come down.

V. 9. The Lord-This is the Lord’s own doing. To stain-God’s design is by this example to abase the pride of all the potentates of the earth.

Verses 8, 9. Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre? — Words of admiration. Who, and where, is he that could imagine, or durst attempt such a thing as this? This is the work of God, and not of man. The crowning city — Which was a royal city, and carried away the crown from all other cities: whose merchants are princes — Equal to princes for wealth, and power, and reputation. The Lord of hosts hath purposed it — This is the Lord’s own doing; to stain the pride of all glory — God’s design is, by this example, to abase the pride of all the potentates of the earth, that they may see how weak they are when he sets himself against them.

8, 9. Who hath taken… counsel — Of whose purpose come results such as these upon great Tyre? Is it possible any one can bring such things about? The irony is withering, yet solemn and stately. Jehovah, to stain the glory of man — not at Tyre alone — hath done it. So always. The honourable — Solid men and families, as society calls them, sooner or later come down.

V. 10. Pass through-Tarry no longer in thy own territories, but flee through them, into other countries, for safety and relief. As a river-Swiftly, lest you be prevented. Tarshish-O Tyre, which might well be called daughter of Tarshish, that is, of the sea, as that word is used, ver. 1, and elsewhere, because it was an island, and therefore as it were, born of the sea, and nourished and brought up by it.

Verse 10. O daughter of Tarshish] Tyre is called the daughter of Tarshish; perhaps because, Tyre being ruined, Tarshish was become the superior city, and might be considered as the metropolis of the Tyrian people; or rather because of the close connexion and perpetual intercourse between them, according to that latitude of signification in which the Hebrews use the words son and daughter to express any sort of conjunction and dependence whatever. jzm mezach, a girdle, which collects, binds, and keeps together the loose raiment, when applied to a river, may mean a mound, mole, or artificial dam, which contains the waters and prevents them from spreading abroad. A city taken by siege and destroyed, whose walls are demolished, whose policy is dissolved, whose wealth is dissipated, whose people is scattered over the wide country, is compared to a river whose banks are broken down, and whose waters, let loose and overflowing all the neighbouring plains, are wasted and lost. This may possibly be the meaning of this very obscure verse, of which I can find no other interpretation that is at all satisfactory.—L.

Verse 10. Pass through thy land — Tarry no longer in thy own territories, but flee through them, into other countries, for safety and relief. As a river — Swiftly, lest you be prevented; continually, till you be all gone, and in shoals and multitudes. O daughter of Tarshish — Tyre is here called the daughter of Tarshish, because it was enriched and increased by trade to that place: or, rather, as Bishop Lowth supposes, “because of the close connection and perpetual intercourse between the two cities, according to that latitude of signification in which the Hebrews used the word son and daughter, to express any sort of conjunction and dependance whatever.” There is no more strength — Or, no more a girdle, as in the margin: the girdle which strengthens the loins of a man being here put for strength, as frequently elsewhere, as if he had said, It behooves you, O Tyrians, to flee away, as I advise, for your city is unable to defend you; your wealth, the sinews of war, is lost; your walls are broken down; and your former friends and allies have forsaken you.

10. Pass through… as a river — As freely as a river flows, overflows, and rushes, so let the population go hence. Daughter of Tarshish — Dependent, henceforth, on the colonies for existence and a home. No more strength — Girdle is the word — a figure of strength. No more home girding of the loins or fortifications. The cincture of beauty and strength is gone from Tyre.

V. 11. He-The Lord. Shook-Heb. he made the kingdoms to tremble; the neighbouring and confederate kingdoms, who might justly quake at her fall, for the dreadfulness and unexpectedness of the thing; and because Tyre was a bulwark, and a refuge to them. A commandment-Hath put this design into the hearts of her enemies, and given them courage to attempt, and strength to execute it.

Verses 11, 12. He — Namely, the Lord, mentioned in the latter part of the verse; stretched out his hand over the sea — That is, Tyre, called the sea, (verse 4,) to overthrow it. He shook — Hebrew, zygrh, he made to tremble, the kingdoms — Either the two kingdoms of Tyre and Zidon, or the neighbouring and confederate kingdoms, which might justly quake at her fall, for the dreadfulness and unexpectedness of the event, and because Tyre was a bulwark and a refuge to them. The Lord hath given a commandment, to destroy, &c. — Hath put this design into the hearts of her enemies, and given them courage to attempt, and strength to execute it. Thou shalt no more rejoice, oppressed virgin — He calls her a virgin, because she had hitherto never borne the yoke of a conquering enemy; though withal he signifies that she should be oppressed, and, as it were, ravished, by her enemies. Daughter of Zidon — Tyre is called the daughter of Zidon, because she was first built and inhabited by a colony of the Zidonians; as Pliny calls Carthage the daughter of Tyre, because she was built by a colony of Tyrians. “It is certain,” says Lowth, “that of the two cities, Zidon was much the most ancient, being mentioned by Moses in his account of the peopling of the world after the flood, Genesis 10:19; and again, chap. 49:13. Afterward it is called by Joshua, great Zidon, Joshua 11:8: Homer likewise takes notice of Zidon, but not of Tyre; and the authority of Strabo is express to the same purpose.” Arise, pass over to Chittim, &c. — See on verses 1 and 6. “Of all the Phenicians,” says Bishop Newton, “the Tyrians were the most celebrated for their shipping and colonies. Tyre exceeded Zidon in this respect, as Strabo testifies, and sent forth colonies into Africa and Spain, unto and beyond the pillars of Hercules: and Quintus Curtius says that her colonies were diffused almost over the whole world. The Tyrians, therefore, having planted colonies at Tarshish, and upon the coasts of Chittim, it was natural for them, when they were pressed with dangers and difficulties at home, to flee to their friends and countrymen abroad for protection. That they really did so, St. Jerome asserts, upon the authority of Assyrian histories, which are now lost. But,” it is here foretold, that, “though they should pass over to Chittim, yet even there they should find no quiet settlement; There also shalt thou have no rest — Megasthenes (an historian who lived about 300 years before Christ) is quoted by several ancient authors, for saying that Nebuchadnezzar subdued a great part of Africa and Spain, and proceeded as far as the pillars of Hercules. After he had subdued Tyre and Egypt, we may suppose he carried his arms further westward; and if he proceeded as far as Megasthenes reports, the Tyrians might well be said to have no rest, their conqueror pursuing them from one country to another. But besides this, and after this, the Carthaginians, and other colonies of the Tyrians, lived in a very unsettled state. Their history is made up of little but wars and tumults, even before their three fatal wars with the Romans, in every one of which their affairs grew worse and worse. Sicily and Spain, Europe and Africa, the land, and their own element, the sea, were theatres of their calamities and miseries; till, at last, not only the new, but old Carthage too, was utterly destroyed. As the Carthaginians sprung from the Tyrians, and the Tyrians from the Zidonians, and Zidon was the firstborn of Canaan, (Genesis 10:15,) so the curse upon Canaan seems to have pursued them to the most distant parts of the earth.”

11. He stretched out his hand — The subject of the verb is Jehovah. The gesture here, quite a common representation with Isaiah, intends punishment and correction. Over the sea — Over the domain of Tyrian commerce, more especially Phoenician cities on the sea. Shook the kingdoms — The whole of Phoenicia, by means of noted warriors whose selfish aims at conquest were divinely overruled for correction.

V. 12. Virgin-So he calls her, because she had hitherto never borne the yoke of a conquering enemy. Zidon-Tyre may be called the daughter of Zidon, because she was first built and possessed by a colony of the Zidonians. No rest-Thither thine enemies shall pursue thee, and there shall they overtake the.

Verses 11, 12. He — Namely, the Lord, mentioned in the latter part of the verse; stretched out his hand over the sea — That is, Tyre, called the sea, (verse 4,) to overthrow it. He shook — Hebrew, zygrh, he made to tremble, the kingdoms — Either the two kingdoms of Tyre and Zidon, or the neighbouring and confederate kingdoms, which might justly quake at her fall, for the dreadfulness and unexpectedness of the event, and because Tyre was a bulwark and a refuge to them. The Lord hath given a commandment, to destroy, &c. — Hath put this design into the hearts of her enemies, and given them courage to attempt, and strength to execute it. Thou shalt no more rejoice, oppressed virgin — He calls her a virgin, because she had hitherto never borne the yoke of a conquering enemy; though withal he signifies that she should be oppressed, and, as it were, ravished, by her enemies. Daughter of Zidon — Tyre is called the daughter of Zidon, because she was first built and inhabited by a colony of the Zidonians; as Pliny calls Carthage the daughter of Tyre, because she was built by a colony of Tyrians. “It is certain,” says Lowth, “that of the two cities, Zidon was much the most ancient, being mentioned by Moses in his account of the peopling of the world after the flood, Genesis 10:19; and again, chap. 49:13. Afterward it is called by Joshua, great Zidon, Joshua 11:8: Homer likewise takes notice of Zidon, but not of Tyre; and the authority of Strabo is express to the same purpose.” Arise, pass over to Chittim, &c. — See on verses 1 and 6. “Of all the Phenicians,” says Bishop Newton, “the Tyrians were the most celebrated for their shipping and colonies. Tyre exceeded Zidon in this respect, as Strabo testifies, and sent forth colonies into Africa and Spain, unto and beyond the pillars of Hercules: and Quintus Curtius says that her colonies were diffused almost over the whole world. The Tyrians, therefore, having planted colonies at Tarshish, and upon the coasts of Chittim, it was natural for them, when they were pressed with dangers and difficulties at home, to flee to their friends and countrymen abroad for protection. That they really did so, St. Jerome asserts, upon the authority of Assyrian histories, which are now lost. But,” it is here foretold, that, “though they should pass over to Chittim, yet even there they should find no quiet settlement; There also shalt thou have no rest — Megasthenes (an historian who lived about 300 years before Christ) is quoted by several ancient authors, for saying that Nebuchadnezzar subdued a great part of Africa and Spain, and proceeded as far as the pillars of Hercules. After he had subdued Tyre and Egypt, we may suppose he carried his arms further westward; and if he proceeded as far as Megasthenes reports, the Tyrians might well be said to have no rest, their conqueror pursuing them from one country to another. But besides this, and after this, the Carthaginians, and other colonies of the Tyrians, lived in a very unsettled state. Their history is made up of little but wars and tumults, even before their three fatal wars with the Romans, in every one of which their affairs grew worse and worse. Sicily and Spain, Europe and Africa, the land, and their own element, the sea, were theatres of their calamities and miseries; till, at last, not only the new, but old Carthage too, was utterly destroyed. As the Carthaginians sprung from the Tyrians, and the Tyrians from the Zidonians, and Zidon was the firstborn of Canaan, (Genesis 10:15,) so the curse upon Canaan seems to have pursued them to the most distant parts of the earth.”

Ver. 12. Thou shalt no more rejoice, oh thou oppressed virgin. The title of virgin was delicately applied to all primitive cities that had never been stormed and ravaged by conquest. Thou must now fly for refuge to all the isles of Chittim, now called Greek Islands, and to the shores of the Mediterranean sea, and sing for bread.

12. He said — Jehovah said, as in verse 9. No more rejoice — Because doomed to be crippled; yes, nearly destroyed. Daughter of Zidon — Zidon was the older city, hence addressed as the mother city. To Chittim — To Tyrian colonies in Cyprus. Yet even there they would find no rest, because too near and too accessible to the conquering power.

V. 13. Behold-Thou Tyrians, cast your eyes upon the Chaldeans or Babylonians; who tho’ now flourishing, grow far more glorious and potent, even the glory of kingdoms, yet shall certainly be brought to utter ruin. This people-The Chaldeans at first were not a people, not formed into any commonwealth or kingdom, ‘till Nimrod, the head and founder of the Assyrian monarchy, built Babel, Genesis 10:9,10, now the head of the Chaldean monarchy; which he built for those people, who then lived in tents, and were dispersed here and there in waste places. He-The Lord. To ruin-Will infallibly bring that great empire to ruin. He speaks of a future thing as if it were already past.

Verse 13. Behold the land of the Chaldeans] This verse is extremely obscure; the obscurity arises from the ambiguity of the agents, which belong to the verbs, and of the objects expressed by the pronouns; from the change of number of the verbs, and of gender in the pronouns. The MSS. give us no assistance, and the ancient Versions very little. The Chaldee and Vulgate read hwmc samoah, in the plural number. I have followed the interpretation which, among many different ones, seemed to be most probable, that of Perizonius and Vitringa.

The Chaldeans, Chasdim, are supposed to have had their origin, and to have taken their name, from Chesed, the son of Nachor, the brother of Abraham. They were known by that name in the time of Moses, who calls Ur in Mesopotamia, from whence Abraham came, to distinguish it from other places of the same name, Ur of the Chaldeans. And Jeremiah calls them an ancient nation. This is not inconsistent with what Isaiah here says of them: “This people was not,” that is, they were of no account, (see Deuteronomy 32:21;) they were not reckoned among the great and potent nations of the world till of later times; they were a rude, uncivilized, barbarous people, without laws, without settled habitations; wandering in a wide desert country (µyyx tsiyim) and addicted to rapine like the wild Arabians. Such they are represented to have been in the time of Job, Job 1:17, and such they continued to be till Assur, some powerful king of Assyria, gathered them together, and settled them in Babylon in the neighbouring country. This probably was Ninus, whom I suppose to have lived in the time of the Judges. In this, with many eminent chronologers, I follow the authority of Herodotus, who says that the Assyrian monarchy lasted but five hundred and twenty years. Ninus got possession of Babylon from the Cuthean Arabians; the successors of Nimrod in that empire collected the Chaldeans, and settled a colony of them there to secure the possession of the city, which he and his successors greatly enlarged and ornamented. They had perhaps been useful to him in his wars, and might be likely to be farther useful in keeping under the old inhabitants of that city, and of the country belonging to it; according to the policy of the Assyrian kings, who generally brought new people into the conquered countries; see Isaiah 36:17; 2 Kings 17:6, 24. The testimony of Dicæarchus, a Greek historian contemporary with Alexander, (apud. Steph. de Urbibus, in voc. Caldaiov,) in regard to the fact is remarkable, though he is mistaken in the name of the king he speaks of. He says that “a certain king of Assyria, the fourteenth in succession from Ninus, (as he might be, if Ninus is placed, as in the common chronology, eight hundred years higher than we have above set him,) named, as it is said, Chaldæus, having gathered together and united all the people called Chaldeans, built the famous city, Babylon, upon the Euphrates.”—L.

Verse 13. Behold the land of the Chaldeans, &c. — This verse, in which there is much obscurity, will admit of different interpretations. One adopted by Dr. Lightfoot and some others, is to this purpose. Behold, how easily the land of the Chaldeans was destroyed by the Assyrians, though their own hands founded it, set up the tower of Babylon, and raised up its palaces; yet he, the Assyrian, brought it to ruin: the king of Assyria having lately taken Babylon, and made it tributary to the Assyrian empire. Another and more probable interpretation is thus stated by Poole, and adopted by Lowth: “You Tyrians, who think your city impregnable, cast your eyes upon the land and empire of the Chaldeans, or Babylonians; which though now it be a flourishing kingdom, and shall shortly become more glorious and potent, yet shall certainly be brought to utter ruin: and therefore your presumption is unreasonable and vain.” The last clause especially, in the original, hlpml hmc, he hath placed, or appointed, it for ruin, seems evidently to favour this interpretation. Bishop Newton, however, (with whom Bishop Lowth, Dr. Waterland, and many others agree,) understands the prophet as speaking in this clause, not of the ruin of Babylon, but of Tyre. He therefore interprets the verse thus: “Behold — An exclamation, that he is going to utter something new and extraordinary; the land of the Chaldeans — That is, Babylon, and the country about Babylon; this people was not — Was of no note or eminence; till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness — They dwelt before in tents, and led a wandering life in the wilderness, till the Assyrians built Babylon for their reception. They set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof — Herodotus, Ctesias, and other ancient historians agree, that the kings of Assyria fortified and beautified Babylon; and he — That is, this people,” (as Bishop Lowth renders it,) “mentioned before, the Chaldeans or Babylonians, brought it to ruin — That is, Tyre, which is the subject of the whole prophecy. The Assyrians were at that time the great monarchs of the East; the Chaldeans were their slaves and subjects; and therefore it is the more extraordinary that the prophet should, so many years beforehand, foresee the successes and conquests of the Chaldeans.”

13. Behold — Something important to be said. Land of the Chaldeans — Originally these were wild tribes in the mountains of Armenia. (Gesenius.) Was not — Had no existence as an organized nation. Till the Assyrian founded it — That is, transplanted colonies of them on the plains of Babylonia. If this be the meaning, the event was in the very earliest days of Assyrian power and conquest, and remnants of those ancient tribes have survived to this day under the name of Koords. Xenophon, in his Anabasis, says these primitive tribes followed a nomadic life in Armenia. By some they are held to be of Cushite origin. Set up… towers… raised… palaces — They established, or were blended in with, Babylonian civilization, and became, under Nebuchadnezzar, warriors to set up siege “towers” in Tyre and to destroy her “palaces.” He — The Chaldean general and army. Though the results of that siege are not historically known, this verse declares the city crippled, and for the time being destroyed; destroyed beyond immediate regain of her old prestige.

V. 14. Your strength-The city of Tyre, where you found safety and wealth.

Verse 14. Howl, ye ships] The Prophet Ezekiel hath enlarged upon this part of the same subject with great force and elegance:— “Thus saith the Lord JEHOVAH concerning Tyre:—

At the sound of thy fall, at the cry of the wounded,

At the great slaughter in the midst of thee, shall not the islands tremble? And shall not all the princes of the sea descend from their thrones, And lay aside their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments? They shall clothe themselves with trembling, they shall sit on the ground; They shall tremble every moment, they shall be astonished at thee. And they shall utter a lamentation over thee, and shall say unto thee: How art thou lost, thou that wast inhabited from the seas! The renowned city, that was strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants! That struck with terror all her neighbours!

Now shall the coasts tremble in the day of thy fall,

And the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure.” Ezekiel 26:15-18.

Ver. 14. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish. These spread themselves on the western shores of Europe and Africa. In the Saxon chronicle, edited by Ingram, 1823, we have an account of a Trojan or a Phœnician colony who came in five long ships to the north of Ireland, and west of Scotland. Tha comon of Armenia.

14, 15. Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years — Shall be of comparatively no account as an object for re-conquest. “Seventy years” is a compact series of decades, denoting at least a full long time; possibly, the figure here is a symbol for the period of a strong dynasty. Prophetic vision takes in things as wholes, be they as to periods longer or shorter. Historically there was nothing to hinder Tyre going on in her commerce, in unostentatious ways, under the Persian rule, till Alexander arose, some two hundred years later than Nebuchadnezzar. Alexander then attacked Tyre, but completed the ruin of her and her commerce more by establishing a great commercial rival, the city of Alexandria, in the western delta of the Nile, B.C. 332, than by his mere conquest of the city.

V. 15. Forgotten-Neglected and forsaken. Seventy years-During the time of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah 27:3,8 Ezekiel 26:7, a little after the taking of Jerusalem and was restored by the favour of the Persian monarchs after the return of the Jews. One king-One royal race of Nebuchadnezzar, including his son, and his son’s son, in whom his family and kingdom were to expire. Sing-She shall by degrees return to her former traffick, whereby she shall easily entice the merchants of the world to trade with her, as harlots use to entice men by lascivious songs.

Verse 15. According to the days of one king] what is, of one kingdom; see Daniel 7:17; 8:20. Nebuchadnezzar began his conquests in the first year of his reign; from thence to the taking of Babylon by Cyrus are seventy years, at which time the nations subdued by Nebuchadnezzar were to be restored to liberty. These seventy years limit the duration of the Babylonish monarchy. Tyre was taken by him towards the middle of that period; so did not serve the king of Babylon during the whole period, but only for the remaining part of it. This seems to be the meaning of Isaiah; the days allotted to the one king or kingdom, are seventy years; Tyre, with the rest of the conquered nations, shall continue in a state of subjection and desolation to the end of that period. Not from the beginning and through the whole of the period; for, by being one of the latest conquests, the duration of that state of subjection in regard to her, was not much more than half of it. “All these nations,” saith Jeremiah, Jeremiah 25:11, “shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” Some of them were conquered sooner, some later; but the end of this period was the common term for the deliverance of them all.

There is another way of computing the seventy years, from the year in which Tyre was actually taken to the nineteenth of Darius Hystaspis; whom the Phœnicians, or Tyrians, assisted against the Ionians, and probably on that account might then be restored to their former liberties and privileges. But I think the former the more probable interpretation.—L. Sing as a harlot] Fidicinam esse meretricum est, says Donatus in Terent. Eunuch. iii. 2, 4.

Nec meretrix tibicina, cujus

Ad strepitum salias.

HOR. I. Epist. xiv. 25.

“Nor harlot minstrel sings, when the rude sound

Tempts you with heavy heels to thump the ground.”

FRANCIS.

Sir John Chardin, in his MS. note on this place, says:—C’est que les vielles prostituees,—ne font que chanter quand les jeunes dancent, et les animer par l’instrument et par la voix. “The old prostitutes do nothing but sing, while the young ones dance; and animate them both by vocal and instrumental music.”

Verses 15-17. And it shall come to pass, &c. — Here begins the second part of this discourse, which contains an alleviation of the judgment decreed against Tyre. The prophet foretels, 1st, “That God would circumscribe within certain bounds his severity to Tyre, and within seventy years restore it to its former state;” and, 2d, “That in process of time the Tyrians should be converted to the true religion,” verse 18. The former particular is predicted, first literally, and then figuratively. Tyre shall be forgotten — Neglected and forsaken by those who used to traffic with her; seventy years, according to the days of one king — “Or kingdom, meaning the Babylonian, which was to continue seventy years.” After the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as a harlot, &c. — The plain meaning of this metaphorical passage, says Bishop Newton, in which Tyre is represented as a harlot, “is, that she should lie neglected of traders and merchants for seventy years, as long as the Babylonian empire lasted, and after that she should recover her liberties and her trade, and draw in several of all nations to deal with her, and particularly the kings of the earth to buy her purples, which were worn chiefly by emperors and kings, and for which Tyre was famous above all places in the world. Seventy years was the time prefixed for the duration of the Babylonian empire. So long the nations were to groan under that tyrannical yoke, though these nations were subdued, some sooner, some later than others, Jeremiah 25:11, 12. Accordingly, at the end of seventy years, Cyrus and the Persians subverted the Babylonian empire, and restored the conquered nations to their liberty.” The bishop observes further, that these seventy years may also be computed after another manner. “Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar in the thirty-second year of his reign, and in the five hundred and seventy-third before Christ. Seventy years from thence will bring us down to the year five hundred and three before Christ, and the nineteenth of Darius Hystaspis. At that time, it appears from history that the Ionians had rebelled against Darius, and the Phenicians assisted him with their fleets: and, consequently, it is reasonable to conclude that they were now restored to their former privileges. In the succeeding reign we find that they, together with the Sidonians, furnished Xerxes with several ships for his expedition into Greece. And, by the time of Alexander, the Tyrians were grown to such power and greatness that they stopped the progress of that rapid conqueror longer than any part of the Persian empire besides. But this is to be understood of the insular Tyre; for, as the old city flourished most before the time of Nebuchadnezzar, so the new city flourished most afterward, and this is the Tyre that henceforth is so much celebrated in history.”

14, 15. Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years — Shall be of comparatively no account as an object for re-conquest. “Seventy years” is a compact series of decades, denoting at least a full long time; possibly, the figure here is a symbol for the period of a strong dynasty. Prophetic vision takes in things as wholes, be they as to periods longer or shorter. Historically there was nothing to hinder Tyre going on in her commerce, in unostentatious ways, under the Persian rule, till Alexander arose, some two hundred years later than Nebuchadnezzar. Alexander then attacked Tyre, but completed the ruin of her and her commerce more by establishing a great commercial rival, the city of Alexandria, in the western delta of the Nile, B.C. 332, than by his mere conquest of the city.

V. 16. Go about-As harlots use to do. Thou harlot-So he calls Tyre, because she enticed the merchants to deal with her by various artifices, and even by dishonest practices, and because of the great and general uncleanness which was committed in it.

Verses 15-17. And it shall come to pass, &c. — Here begins the second part of this discourse, which contains an alleviation of the judgment decreed against Tyre. The prophet foretels, 1st, “That God would circumscribe within certain bounds his severity to Tyre, and within seventy years restore it to its former state;” and, 2d, “That in process of time the Tyrians should be converted to the true religion,” verse 18. The former particular is predicted, first literally, and then figuratively. Tyre shall be forgotten — Neglected and forsaken by those who used to traffic with her; seventy years, according to the days of one king — “Or kingdom, meaning the Babylonian, which was to continue seventy years.” After the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as a harlot, &c. — The plain meaning of this metaphorical passage, says Bishop Newton, in which Tyre is represented as a harlot, “is, that she should lie neglected of traders and merchants for seventy years, as long as the Babylonian empire lasted, and after that she should recover her liberties and her trade, and draw in several of all nations to deal with her, and particularly the kings of the earth to buy her purples, which were worn chiefly by emperors and kings, and for which Tyre was famous above all places in the world. Seventy years was the time prefixed for the duration of the Babylonian empire. So long the nations were to groan under that tyrannical yoke, though these nations were subdued, some sooner, some later than others, Jeremiah 25:11, 12. Accordingly, at the end of seventy years, Cyrus and the Persians subverted the Babylonian empire, and restored the conquered nations to their liberty.” The bishop observes further, that these seventy years may also be computed after another manner. “Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar in the thirty-second year of his reign, and in the five hundred and seventy-third before Christ. Seventy years from thence will bring us down to the year five hundred and three before Christ, and the nineteenth of Darius Hystaspis. At that time, it appears from history that the Ionians had rebelled against Darius, and the Phenicians assisted him with their fleets: and, consequently, it is reasonable to conclude that they were now restored to their former privileges. In the succeeding reign we find that they, together with the Sidonians, furnished Xerxes with several ships for his expedition into Greece. And, by the time of Alexander, the Tyrians were grown to such power and greatness that they stopped the progress of that rapid conqueror longer than any part of the Persian empire besides. But this is to be understood of the insular Tyre; for, as the old city flourished most before the time of Nebuchadnezzar, so the new city flourished most afterward, and this is the Tyre that henceforth is so much celebrated in history.”

Ver. 16. Take a harp, go about the city, thou harlot. The perfection of thy music, and thy melodious airs of Phœnician song, may procure thee a pittance of bread in exile. What a contrast between the princely mansions, and the Tyrian purple, now changed for garbs of shame.

16. Take a harp — This verse indicates the continuance of the city, but so humbled, that, to make herself believe that she is something like her former self, she is told to put on extra simulations — to sing, play the harp, and make a big show of happiness and prosperity.

V. 17. Visit-In mercy. Her hire-The Hebrew word properly signifies, the hire of an harlot. Fornication-Shall trade promiscuously with people of all nations, as harlots entertain all comers.

Verse 17. After the end of seventy years] Tyre, after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, recovered, as it is here foretold, its ancient trade, wealth, and grandeur; as it did likewise after a second destruction by Alexander. It became Christian early with the rest of the neighbouring countries. St. Paul himself found many Christians there, Acts 21:4. It suffered much in the Diocletian persecution. It was an archbishopric under the patriarchate of Jerusalem, with fourteen bishoprics under its jurisdiction. It continued Christian till it was taken by the Saracens in 639; was recovered by the Christians in 1124; but in 1280 was conquered by the Mamelukes, and afterwards taken from them by the Turks in 1517. Since that time it has sunk into utter decay; is now a mere ruin, a bare rock, “a place to spread nets upon,” as the Prophet Ezekiel foretold it should be, Ezekiel 26:14. See Sandy’s Travels; Vitringa on the place; Bp. Newton on the Prophecies, Dissert. xi.

ISAIAH

Verses 15-17. And it shall come to pass, &c. — Here begins the second part of this discourse, which contains an alleviation of the judgment decreed against Tyre. The prophet foretels, 1st, “That God would circumscribe within certain bounds his severity to Tyre, and within seventy years restore it to its former state;” and, 2d, “That in process of time the Tyrians should be converted to the true religion,” verse 18. The former particular is predicted, first literally, and then figuratively. Tyre shall be forgotten — Neglected and forsaken by those who used to traffic with her; seventy years, according to the days of one king — “Or kingdom, meaning the Babylonian, which was to continue seventy years.” After the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as a harlot, &c. — The plain meaning of this metaphorical passage, says Bishop Newton, in which Tyre is represented as a harlot, “is, that she should lie neglected of traders and merchants for seventy years, as long as the Babylonian empire lasted, and after that she should recover her liberties and her trade, and draw in several of all nations to deal with her, and particularly the kings of the earth to buy her purples, which were worn chiefly by emperors and kings, and for which Tyre was famous above all places in the world. Seventy years was the time prefixed for the duration of the Babylonian empire. So long the nations were to groan under that tyrannical yoke, though these nations were subdued, some sooner, some later than others, Jeremiah 25:11, 12. Accordingly, at the end of seventy years, Cyrus and the Persians subverted the Babylonian empire, and restored the conquered nations to their liberty.” The bishop observes further, that these seventy years may also be computed after another manner. “Tyre was taken by Nebuchadnezzar in the thirty-second year of his reign, and in the five hundred and seventy-third before Christ. Seventy years from thence will bring us down to the year five hundred and three before Christ, and the nineteenth of Darius Hystaspis. At that time, it appears from history that the Ionians had rebelled against Darius, and the Phenicians assisted him with their fleets: and, consequently, it is reasonable to conclude that they were now restored to their former privileges. In the succeeding reign we find that they, together with the Sidonians, furnished Xerxes with several ships for his expedition into Greece. And, by the time of Alexander, the Tyrians were grown to such power and greatness that they stopped the progress of that rapid conqueror longer than any part of the Persian empire besides. But this is to be understood of the insular Tyre; for, as the old city flourished most before the time of Nebuchadnezzar, so the new city flourished most afterward, and this is the Tyre that henceforth is so much celebrated in history.”

Ver. 17, 18. It shall come to pass, after the end of seventy years, as in ver.

15. The days of one king, or the expiration of the Assyrian empire. Daniel 7:17. 8:20. The Lord shall visit Tyre, and cause her gradually to rise again; and her hire of merchandise shall be holiness to the Lord. As but little of this occurred after the seventy years captivity, in the worship of the God of Israel, the ultimate bearing of this prophecy must regard the conversion of the people to the christian religion. Bishop Lowth adds here, “that after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, and after being taken by Alexander, Tyre recovered its commerce, and wealth, and grandeur. St. Paul found disciples here. Acts 21:3, 4. Christianity flourished in Tyre till the city was taken by the Turks, in the year 639. It was retaken by the Christians, in the crusade of 1124. But in 1280 it was conquered by the Mamelukes, and taken from them by the Turks in 1516. Since that time it has sunk into utter decay, and is a mere rock.”—A French traveller, who visited the place since the revolution, remarks, “I saw fishermen spreading their nets on Tyre.” See Ezekiel 26:14. Surely then, the holy men who were allowed to see the fate of Tyre, beheld it with the eyes of heaven. Had the prophets speculated as merchants, or divined as wizards, their presumption had been their destruction.—From Jeremiah’s sending his scroll to Babylon, we may infer that Isaiah made his vision known to Tyre.

17. After… seventy years — Return of commercial prosperity is here really promised after a time, and she is again to makes large figure in the world. Commit fornication — Why is this figure so much used by our prophet? Because harlotry and whoredom were terms applied to idolatry, and expressed the extreme contempt felt by the pious Jews for that abomination. In her coming again into prosperity Tyre would re-enact her old practices. The Lord will visit Tyre — Under divine providential auspices she is to become rich again, but, through her own renewed excesses, to be only again doomed to more overwhelming calamity.

V. 18. Holiness-This is a prophecy concerning the conversion of the Tyrians to the true religion. Laid up-Either out of covetousness, or for their pride and luxury, as they formerly did; but now they shall freely lay it out upon pious and charitable uses. Shall be-For the support and encouragement of the ministers of holy things, who shall teach the good knowledge of the Lord. Although this does not exclude, but rather imply their liberality in contributing to the necessities of all Christians.

Verse 18. And her merchandise, &c., shall be holiness to the Lord. — The meaning of the prophet is extremely clear, namely, “that the time should come, after the restoration of Tyre, in which the Tyrians, out of reverence to the true God, would consecrate their wealth and gain to him, and would readily contribute that gain and wealth to the support of the teachers of true religion. In short, that the Tyrians should become converts to that religion. The reader will easily observe that the passage is metaphorical.” “The Tyrians were much addicted to the worship of Hercules, as he was called by the Greeks, or of Baal, as he is denominated in Scripture; but, in process of time, by the means of some Jews and proselytes, living and conversing with them, some of them also became proselytes to the Jewish religion; so that we find a great multitude of people from the sea-coast of Tyre and Sidon came to hear our Saviour; and he, though peculiarly sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, yet came into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon; and the first fruits of the gospel there was a Tyrian woman, a woman of Canaan, as she is called, a Syro-phenician by nation. When St. Paul, in his way to Jerusalem, came to Tyre, he found disciples there, who were inspired by the Holy Ghost, and prophesied; and with them he tarried seven days. In the time of Dioclesian’s persecution, the Tyrians were such sincere converts to Christianity that they exhibited several glorious examples of confessors and martyrs; and when the storm of persecution was blown over, under their Bishop Paulinus, they built an oratory, or rather a temple, for the public worship of God, the most magnificent and sumptuous in all Palestine. Eusebius produces this last occurrence in proof of the completion of Isaiah’s prophecy; and St. Jerome is of the same opinion. To these proofs we will only add, that as Tyre consecrated its merchandise and hire unto the Lord, so it had the honour of being erected into an archbishopric, and the first under the patriarchate of Jerusalem, having fourteen bishops under its primacy; and in this state it continued several years.” — Bishop Newton.

Ver. 17, 18. It shall come to pass, after the end of seventy years, as in ver.

15. The days of one king, or the expiration of the Assyrian empire. Daniel 7:17. 8:20. The Lord shall visit Tyre, and cause her gradually to rise again; and her hire of merchandise shall be holiness to the Lord. As but little of this occurred after the seventy years captivity, in the worship of the God of Israel, the ultimate bearing of this prophecy must regard the conversion of the people to the christian religion. Bishop Lowth adds here, “that after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, and after being taken by Alexander, Tyre recovered its commerce, and wealth, and grandeur. St. Paul found disciples here. Acts 21:3, 4. Christianity flourished in Tyre till the city was taken by the Turks, in the year 639. It was retaken by the Christians, in the crusade of 1124. But in 1280 it was conquered by the Mamelukes, and taken from them by the Turks in 1516. Since that time it has sunk into utter decay, and is a mere rock.”—A French traveller, who visited the place since the revolution, remarks, “I saw fishermen spreading their nets on Tyre.” See Ezekiel 26:14. Surely then, the holy men who were allowed to see the fate of Tyre, beheld it with the eyes of heaven. Had the prophets speculated as merchants, or divined as wizards, their presumption had been their destruction.—From Jeremiah’s sending his scroll to Babylon, we may infer that Isaiah made his vision known to Tyre.

18. Her merchandise… be holiness to the Lord — The diffusion of the good seed of Messianic truths must produce not a little fruit among the Phoenician populations. Christ in a solitary mission there found the soil good for scattering that seed. Seagoing communication to all parts of the Gentile world was another overruled result of Tyrian commerce to carry the Gospel messengers to far off ports. The trade of commerce, first learned in Phoenicia, is now transferred to all parts of the world. All men are made near neighbours by means of it. See chapter 60.