Isaiah 23 - Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 23

This chapter gives an account both of the desolation and restoration of Tyre, an ancient city of Phoenicia. Its desolation is described as so complete, that a house was not left in it, Isaiah 23:1 and by the fewness and stillness of the inhabitants of it, with which it had been replenished, it having been a mart of nations, Isaiah 23:2 and by the shame and pain Zidon, a neighbouring city, was put into, on account of it,

Isaiah 23:4 and by the removal of its inhabitants to other places,

Isaiah 23:6 all which is attributed to the counsel, purpose, and commandment of God, to destroy it; whose view was to stain their pride, and bring them into contempt, Isaiah 23:8 the means and instruments made use of to this purpose were the Assyrians or Chaldeans, Isaiah 23:13 and its desolation is further aggravated by the loss of its trade; hence the merchants of other countries are called to mourning, Isaiah 23:1 the date and duration of this desolation were seventy years, Isaiah 23:15 after which it should be restored, and its merchandise and commerce with all the nations of the earth be revived again, Isaiah 23:15.