Isaiah 23:8 NIV

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 23:8

Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city ,.... Which had a king over it, to whom it gave a crown; and which crowned its inhabitants with riches and plenty, and even enriched the kings of the earth, Ezekiel 27:33 this is said as wondering who could lay a scheme to destroy such a city, or ever think of succeeding in it; who could take it into his head, or how could it enter into his heart, or who could have a heart to go about it, and still less power to effect the ruin... 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 23:8

Who hath taken this counsel ? Who can have conceived the thought of destroying a city at once so powerful and so conducive to the advantage of other states? The answer is given in the next verse. The crowning city ; i.e. "the dispenser of crowns." Either to the governors of her colonies, or perhaps to the other cities of Phoenicia Proper. It is not quite clear whether the kings of those cities needed the sanction of Tyro to confirm them on their thrones, or not. The Hebrew word used... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 23:8

Who hath taken this counsel? - To whom is this to be traced? Is this the work of man, or is it the plan of God? - questions which would naturally arise at the contemplation of the ruin of a city so ancient and so magnificent. The object of this question is to trace it all to God; and this perhaps indicates the scope of the prophecy - to show that God reigns, and does all his pleasure ever cities and kingdoms.The crowning city - The distributer of crowns; or the city from which dependent towns,... 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

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 23:8

crowning = crown-giver: i.e. conferring crowns on other Phoenician cities. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 23:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 23:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 23:8

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 23:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 23:8

Group of Brands