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The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. From the land of Kittim it is revealed to them.
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.
Be still, you inhabitants of the coast, you whom the merchants of Sidon that pass over the sea have replenished.
Verse 2. Island. Tyre was originally surrounded with water. A communication with the land was made afterwards. Joshua 19:29. Calmet. Ezekiel 27. Worthington.
On great waters, the seed of the Shihor, the harvest of the Nile, was her revenue. She was the market of nations.
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.
Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have not travailed, nor given birth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.”
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.
When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish at the report of Tyre.
Pass over to Tarshish! Wail, you inhabitants of the coast!
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.
Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days, whose feet carried her far away to travel?
Verse 7. Sojourn. Many fled, others were made captives.
Who has planned this against Tyre, the giver of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honorable of the earth?
Verse 8. Earth. The merchants were as rich as kings, or the latter sent their merchandise to Tyre. Ezekiel 27:33.
The LORD of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.
Pass through your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish. There is no restraint any more.
Verse 10. Girdle, fortress; or rather, thou art naked, like a slave. Calmet. 20:4.
He has stretched out his hand over the sea. He has shaken the kingdoms. The LORD has ordered the destruction of Canaan’s strongholds.
He said, “You shall rejoice no more, you oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over to Kittim. Even there you will have no rest.”
Verse 12. Daughter; colony. Calmet.—Oppressed. Lit. “calumniated.” Bible.
Behold, the land of the Chaldeans. This people didn’t exist. The Assyrians founded it for those who dwell in the wilderness. They set up their towers. They overthrew its palaces. They made it a ruin.
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.
Howl, you ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste!
It will come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. After the end of seventy years it will be to Tyre like in the song of the prostitute.
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.
Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered.
It will happen after the end of seventy years that the LORD will visit Tyre. She will return to her wages, and will play the prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the earth.
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.
Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to the LORD. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
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.