Isaiah 23:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-14

Tyre being a sea-port town, this prophecy of its overthrow fitly begins and ends with, Howl, you ships of Tarshish; for all its business, wealth, and honour, depended upon its shipping; if that be ruined, they will be all undone. Observe, I. Tyre flourishing. This is taken notice of that her fall may appear the more dismal. 1. The merchants of Zidon, who traded at sea, had at first replenished her, Isa. 23:2. Zidon was the more ancient city, situated upon the same sea-cost, a few leagues more... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 23:9

The Lord of hosts hath purposed it ,.... To destroy Tyre; who is wonderful in counsel, capable of forming a wise scheme, and able to put it in execution; being the Lord of armies in heaven and in earth: and his end in it was, to stain the pride of all glory ; Tyre being proud of its riches, the extent of its commerce, and the multitude of its inhabitants, God was resolved, who sets himself against the proud, to abase them; to pollute the glorious things they were proud of; to deal with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-14

THE BURDEN OF TYRE . We hero reach the last of the "burdens"—the concluding chapter of the series of denunciatory prophecies which commenced with Isaiah 13:1-22 . It is an elegy "in three stanzas, or strophes" (Cheyne)—the first extending from Isaiah 13:1 to Isaiah 13:5 ; the second, thence to Isaiah 13:9 ; and the third from Isaiah 13:10 to Isaiah 13:14 . An undertone of sadness, and even of commiseration, prevails throughout it, the prophet viewing Tyre as a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-15

Aspects of Divine judgment. I. ITS CERTAINTY . 1. The duration of time is no guarantee against its coming; Tyre was a " joyous city, whose antiquity was of ancient days" ( Isaiah 23:7 ), but judgment would fall upon her in God's chosen time. Both men and nations are apt to think that long continuance in comfort is a sufficient pledge that it will never be disturbed; duration begets a false sense of security. If men could only see things as they are, they would perceive that... 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 23:9

The Lord of hosts hath purposed it ; rather, hath counseled it . The word is the same as that used in the opening clause of Isaiah 23:8 . God has conceived the thought of destroying Tyre, for the reasons which the prophet proceeds to specify: 1. To stain the pride of all glory ; or, of all beauty . Not that "glory" or "beauty" are displeasing to him, or provoke his envy, as the heathen thought (Herod; 7.10, § 4) but that those who "pride" themselves on their glory and beauty... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:9

The fall of Tyre a warning against pride in the glories of civilization and art. In destroying Tyre, God, we are told, "purposed to stain the pride of all glory." The word translated "glory" also signifies "beauty" ( 2 Samuel 1:19 ; Isaiah 4:2 ; Ezekiel 7:20 ); and the "glory" for which Tyro was renowned consisted, not in military reputation or governmental ability, but in wealth, commerce, and the production of beautiful objects, as garments, bowls, metal castings, and ether works of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:9

God's constant work of humbling pride. "Jehovah Sabaoth hath devised it, to desecrate the pride of all glory." It is possible that reference may be intended to the desecration of the Tyrian temple of Hercules, which is said to have been the oldest in the world. But the reference may be general, and any actual case would but illustrate the general truth. "God did not bring these calamities upon Tyre in a way of sovereignty, to show an arbitrary and irresistible power; but he did it to punish... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 23:9

The Lord of hosts hath purposed it - (see the note at Isaiah 1:9). It is not by human counsel that it has been done. Whoever is the instrument, yet the overthrow of wicked, proud, and vicious cities and nations is to be traced to the God who rules in the empires and kingdoms of the earth (see the notes at Isaiah 10:5-7).To stain, the pride of all glory - Margin, ‘Pollute.’ The Hebrew word (חלל chalēl) means properly to bore, or pierce through; to open, make common Leviticus 19:29; then to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 23:8-9

Isaiah 23:8-9. 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... read more

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