📖 Isaiah — Chapter 23 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Isaiah 23:1 The Rburden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
Isaiah 23:2 Be RTstill, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
Isaiah 23:3 And by great waters the seed of RSihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, RI travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.
Isaiah 23:5 As at the report concerning Egypt, Rso shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
Isaiah 23:6 RPass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
Isaiah 23:7 Is this Ryour joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her Tafar off to sojourn.
Isaiah 23:8 RWho hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?
Isaiah 23:9 The RLORD of hosts hath purposed it, Tto stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.
Isaiah 23:10 Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is Rno more Tstrength.
Isaiah 23:11 He Rstretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment Tagainst Tthe merchant city, to destroy the Tstrong holds thereof.
Isaiah 23:12 And he said, RThou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
Isaiah 23:13 Behold the Rland of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.
Isaiah 23:14 RHowl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
Isaiah 23:15 And it shall come to pass in that day, that RTyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years Tshall Tyre sing as an harlot.
Isaiah 23:16 Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
Isaiah 23:17 And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will Rvisit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
Isaiah 23:18 And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: Rit shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for Tdurable clothing.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 23:1–6 — Tyre’s trade and prosperity shaken
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ships and trading partners mourn the ruined port. The city’s far-reaching commerce does not secure it against devastation.
Key Truth: Trade and wealth cannot guarantee permanence.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “The ____ of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is …” (Isaiah 23:1)
Find it in Isaiah 23:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth ____ , neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring …” (Isaiah 23:4)
Find it in Isaiah 23:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.” (Isaiah 23:6)
Find it in Isaiah 23:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 23:7–12 — Ancient glory and pride humbled
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A renowned and joyful city is sent wandering. The Lord’s stated purpose confronts the pride of glory and worldly honor.
Key Truth: Hold reputation with humility.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Is this your ____ city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet …” (Isaiah 23:7)
Find it in Isaiah 23:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Pass through thy land as a river, O ____ of Tarshish: there is no more strength.” (Isaiah 23:10)
Find it in Isaiah 23:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ , Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, …” (Isaiah 23:12)
Find it in Isaiah 23:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Isaiah 23:13–18 — Commerce redirected after forgetting
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Tyre’s seventy-year forgetting is followed by renewed trade, yet its gain is described as dedicated provision rather than merely hoarded treasure.
Key Truth: Use resources for provision rather than pride.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till …” (Isaiah 23:13)
Find it in Isaiah 23:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast …” (Isaiah 23:16)
Find it in Isaiah 23:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And her ____ and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it …” (Isaiah 23:18)
Find it in Isaiah 23:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Timothy 6:18 — Those with resources are urged to be generous.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How could gain be directed toward others’ needs?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why do the ships of Tarshish howl?
2. What does the LORD’s purpose confront?
3. What duration marks Tyre’s being forgotten?
4. How is Tyre’s renewed activity portrayed?
5. What destination is assigned to the merchandise and hire?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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