Isaiah 23:16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 23:15-18

Here is, I. The time fixed for the continuance of the desolations of Tyre, which were not to be perpetual desolations: Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, Isa. 23:15. So long it shall lie neglected and buried in obscurity. It was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar much about the time that Jerusalem was, and lay as long as it did in its ruins. See the folly of that proud ambitious conqueror. What the richer, what the stronger, was he for making himself master of Tyre, when all the inhabitants were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 23:16

Take a harp, go about the city ,.... As harlots used to do, that by their music, both vocal and instrumental, they might allure men into their company to commit fornication with them; so Tyre is directed to, or rather this is a prophecy that she should take very artful and ensnaring methods to restore her commerce and merchandise: thou harlot that hast been forgotten ; See Gill on Isaiah 23:15 , make sweet melody ; or, "do well by striking" F11 הטיבי נגן "benefac pulsando",... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-18

The fall of Tyre. I. THE ANCIENT FAME OF TYRO . Consecrated to Melkarth, the principal god of the city, the temple on the island, the supposed site of the ancient city, is said by Arrian to have been the most ancient within the memory of man. Ezekiel speaks of Tyre as "in the midst of the seas" ( Ezekiel 27:25 , Ezekiel 27:26 ). The Tyrians were closely connected with the Zidonians, those famous "hewers of timber" ( 1 Kings 5:6 ). And perhaps the Zidonians of Homer include... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:15-18

TYRE 'S RESTORATION TO PROSPERITY AND CONVERSION TO JEHOVAH . After an interval, expressed by the symbolic number of" seventy years," Tyre is to rise from her ashes, and become once more a prosperous state, resuming her former occupation of a "merchant city," and once more making great gains, which she will devote to the service of Jehovah. St. Jerome thought that this prophecy had not been accomplished in his day. If so, it cannot be said to have been accomplished yet;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:16

Take an harp . Harlots in the East, and indeed in the West also in ancient times (Her; 'Epist.,' 1.14, 1. 25), were expected to be musicians. The harp and the guitar were their usual instruments. Forgotten harlot . In addressing. Tyro as a "harlot," the prophet does not seem to mean more than that her aims were, or at any rate had been, selfish and worldly, such as sever between man and God. She had pursued wealth for the enjoyments that it brought her, not in order to make a good use of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 23:16

Take an harp - This is a continuation of the figure commenced in the previous verse, a direct command to Tyre as an harlot, to go about the city with the usual expressions of rejoicing. Thus Donatus, in Terent. Eunuch., iii. 2, 4, says:‘Fidicinam esse meretricum est;’And thus Horace:‘Nec meretrix tibicina, cujusAd strepitum salias.’1 Epis. xiv. 25.Thou harlot that hast been forgotten - For seventy years thou hast lain unknown, desolate, ruined.Make sweet melody ... - Still the prophet keeps up... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 23:15-17

Isaiah 23:15-17. 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,” Isaiah 23:18. The former particular is predicted, first literally, and then... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-18

Judgment on Phoenicia (23:1-18)Commerce was the source of Phoenicia’s power. Its merchant navy was well known throughout the ancient world, and Phoenician traders sailed to ports far and near. Phoenicia’s own ports, Tyre and Sidon, were among the most prosperous cities of the time, but because of their commercial greed and corruption they too will be destroyed.The prophet pictures the scene in various places when Tyre falls. Phoenician traders who have sailed to Cyprus are shocked when they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 23:16

Take an harp, &c. Figure of speech Apostrophe . Not a quotation. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 23:15-17

Isaiah 23:15-17. And it shall come to pass in that day— The second part of this discourse contains the alleviation of the calamity decreed upon Tyre. In these verses the prophet informs us, first, that God would circumscribe within certain bounds his severity to Tyre, and within seventy years restore it to its former state; and then, secondly, in the 18th verse, foretels, that in process of time the Tyrians would be converted to the true religion. The former particular is related, first... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 23:15-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 23:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:15-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 23:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 23:15-17

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 23:16

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 23:15-17

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