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Isaiah 23:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 23:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Who hath purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honorable of the earth?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Who hath purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honorable of the earth?
Isaiah 23:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5When the report cometh to Egypt, they shall be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
6Pass ye over to Tarshish; wail, ye inhabitants of the coast.
7Is this your joyous [city], whose antiquity is of ancient days, whose feet carried her afar off to sojourn?
8Who hath purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honorable of the earth?
9Jehovah of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.
10Pass through thy land as the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no restraint any more.
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.
← Isaiah 23:7Isaiah 23:9 →
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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
“Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning [city], &c.] 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, (<262733>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 of such a city, which was the queen of cities, and gave laws and crowns, riches and wealth, to others; surely no mere mortal could be concerned in this; (see <661303> Revelation 13:3,4): whose…”
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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
“Who--answered in Isa 23:9, "The Lord of hosts." crowning--crown-giving; that is, the city from which dependent kingdoms had arisen, as Tartessus in Spain, Citium in Cyprus, and Carthage in Africa (Eze 27:33). traffickers--literally, "Canaanites," who were famed for commerce (compare Hos 12:7, Margin).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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, provinces, and kingdoms had arisen. Many colonies and cities had been founded by Tyre. Tartessus in Spain, Citium in Cyprus, Carthage in Africa, and probably many other places were Phenician colonies,…”
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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
“Who - This is the word of God, and not of man. The crowning city - Which was a royal city, and carried away the crown from all other cities. Princes - Equal to princes for wealth, and power, and reputation. Isaiah 23:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:8 The Lord had brought this disaster on Tyre (23:9). • Through commercial links, Tyre had created wealth for itself and its trading partners; in this sense, Tyre was a great creator of kingdoms.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Who hath: Deu 29:24-28; Jer 50:44, Jer 50:45; Rev 18:8 the crowning: Eze 28:2-6, Eze 28:12-18 merchants: Isa 10:8, Isa 36:9 Isaiah 23:9”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification