Isaiah 23

Isaiah 23:1

Tarshish] Of this see the Observations on 1 Kings X. 22.

from the Land of Chittim it is revealed to them] It is revealed, and the report is come unto them that formerly traded with Tyre, how it fared with her, that she is sacked; so that now all harbour in Tyre, or entrance into it is denied unto them. Who these of the land of Chittim should be, there are variable conjectures; but little certainty.

Isaiah 23:2

inhabitants of the Isle] Ye, Tyrians.

Isaiah 23:3

the seed of Sihor] Tyre described here, by her traffick with Egypt; as formerly with Sidon. See Ezek. XXVII. 7. By the great waters of the midland Sea, the graine of Egypt, and all the trade and commodities of it, of Sihor, that is, Nilus, were brought to Tyre. Of this Sihor, or Shichor; and that it is Nilus, see the large Annotations upon this Text.

Isaiah 23:4

The Sea hath spoken] Tyre.

Isaiah 23:9

The Lord of Hoasts hath purposed it] By his Agents to do it. By Nebuchadnezzar, who spent thirteen years in the siege of it, as Josephus against Appion, lib. 1. doth testifie. And by Alexander the Great long after, in his rage; as Curtius in his fourth Book, IV. Chapter doth witnesse.

Isaiah 23:11

He] The Lord.

Isaiah 23:13

Behold the Land of the Chaldeans] This is, or shall be brought to ruine. And therefore it is not impossible but Tyre may be so.

Isaiah 23:15

in that day] Wherein Tyres calamities here foretold shall be accomplished, by Nebuchadnezzar. Ezek. XXVI. 7.

seventy years] During the same time of the Jewes captivity in Babylon.

dayes of one King] One Kingdome; as, Dan. VII. 17. and VIII. 21. to wit, in the dayes and reignes of Nebuchadnezzar, and his sonne, and his sonnes sonne, Jer. XVII. 7.

sing as an harlot] To renew her lovers; her traders and traffickers.

turne to her hire] Of trading and traffick.

with all the Kingdomes] The amplitude of her commerce and trade, ver. 8.

Isaiah 23:18

Holinesse to the Lord] The conversion of the Tyrians to God, in the Kingdome of the Messias.

it shall not be treasured, nor laid up] Not reserved for any common or prophane use, publike or private, for themselves or their posterity.

that dwell before the Lord] The Lords Ministers for their plentiful maintenance, in food and clothing.