Isaiah
Verse 1. Tyre was destroyed, in part, by Nabuchodonosor. Cyrus permitted all the captives of this, as well as of other countries, to return.—Cethim; Cyrus, or rather Macedonia. Merchants come thence no longer.
EXPLANATIONS
Isaiah 23
Historical chapter commentary
Isaiah
Verse 2. Island. Tyre was originally surrounded with water. A communication with the land was made afterwards. Joshua 19:29. Calmet. Ezekiel 27. Worthington.
Isaiah
Verse 3. Nile. Hebrew Shichor, or “muddy water,” designates that river. Joshua 13:3.—River. The overflowing of the Nile gave fertility to Egypt, insomuch that Tyre and other nations were supplied by it with corn.
Isaiah
Verse 4. Strength: people who sail. Septuagint “but the strength … replied: I,” and so forth Sidon will not be concerned for the fall of her rival. She alleges that she has nothing to do with Tyre. That city would not allow that it was a colony of Sidon. verse 12. Calmet.
Isaiah
Verse 6. Seas. The rich Tyrians did so. Saint Jerome—Septuagint “to Carthage.” Hebrew Tharsis, is Cilicia. Calmet.—Hence Nabuchodonosor did not find a sufficient reward. Ezekiel 29:18.
Isaiah
Verse 7. Sojourn. Many fled, others were made captives.
Isaiah
Verse 8. Earth. The merchants were as rich as kings, or the latter sent their merchandise to Tyre. Ezekiel 27:33.
Isaiah
Verse 10. Girdle, fortress; or rather, thou art naked, like a slave. Calmet. 20:4.
Isaiah
Verse 12. Daughter; colony. Calmet.—Oppressed. Lit. “calumniated.” Bible.
Isaiah
Verse 13. It. Hebrew adds, “for fishermen.” It was formerly covered with water. Euseb. præp. ix.—Ruin. The fall of Babylon has been denounced. Calmet. 13.
Isaiah
Verse 15. King Nabuchodonosor, whose two sons reigned but a short time. The captivity of the people of God began also A. 3398, and ended A. 3468, the first of Cyrus.—Harlot. She shall be re-established, ( Calmet.) and shall invite people to her markets. Sanchez.—Before Cyrus, she had kings, but they were of small power. The city was become very rich, and well fortified, when Alexander was stopped by it for seven months. See Ezekiel 26:14. Calmet.—Tyre had rejoiced at the misfortunes of the Hebrews, and was punished by the like captivity. Worthington.
Isaiah
Verse 17. Commit. Septuagint “be the emporium for all.” Great injustice prevailed formerly among merchants, so that it is represented as a dishonest calling. Bible.
Isaiah
Verse 18. Sanctified to the Lord. This alludes to the conversion of the Gentiles. Challoner.—Before, the Tyrian were great enemies to the Jews. 2 Ezra 13:16 and 1 Maccabees 5:15. Our Saviour wrought a miracle in favour of one of this country. Matthew 5:22. Zechariah 8:20. Calmet.—Continuance. Lit. “old age.” Aquila, “with changes of dress.” Bible.