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Isaiah 23:14

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 23:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for your stronghold is laid waste.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for your stronghold is laid waste.
Isaiah 23:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11He hath stretched out his hand over the sea, he hath shaken the kingdoms: Jehovah hath given commandment concerning Canaan, to destroy the strongholds thereof.
12And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon: arise, pass over to Kittim; even there shalt thou have no rest.
13Behold, the land of the Chaldeans: this people was not; the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness; they set up their towers; they overthrew the palaces thereof; they made it a ruin.
14Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for your stronghold is laid waste.
15And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years it shall be unto Tyre as in the song of the harlot.
16Take a harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
17And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that Jehovah will visit Tyre, and she shall return to her hire, and shall play the harlot with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
← Isaiah 23:13Isaiah 23:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Howl, ye ships of Tarshish, &c.] As in (<232301>Isaiah 23:1). (See Gill on “<232301>Isaiah 23:1”): for your strength is laid waste; meaning Tyre, a strong seaport, where their ships were safe, and always found vent for their goods and merchandise; and so it was the strength and support of their country; but was now destroyed, and therefore was matter of lamentation and mourning.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“strength--stronghold (compare Eze 26:15-18).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
““Howl ... Isaiah 23:1. For your strength - That which has been your support and strength; to wit, Tyre (compare Ezekiel 26:15-18). return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Your strength - The city of Tyre, where you found safety and wealth. Isaiah 23:15”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Isa 23:1, Isa 23:6; Eze 27:25-30; Rev 18:11-19 Isaiah 23:15”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification