Isaiah 23 3

Isaiah 23:3

ESV: And on many waters your revenue was the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile; you were the merchant of the nations.

KJV: And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.

NIV: On the great waters came the grain of the Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre, and she became the marketplace of the nations.

NKJV: And on great waters the grain of Shihor, The harvest of the River, is her revenue; And she is a marketplace for the nations.

NLT: sailing over deep waters.
They brought you grain from Egypt
and harvests from along the Nile.
You were the marketplace of the world.

Meaning

Isaiah 23:3 depicts Tyre's immense economic power and its vital role as a global trading hub. It describes how the wealth and sustenance of Tyre stemmed from its access to "great waters"—the Mediterranean Sea—which facilitated the import of essential commodities like "the grain of Shihor" and "the harvest of the Nile" from Egypt. These agricultural yields were not merely food but constituted Tyre's primary "revenue," transforming the city into "the market of nations," a central point for international commerce and trade.

Cross References

Context

Isaiah chapter 23 contains a prophetic burden against Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast. Renowned for its unparalleled maritime commerce and naval strength, Tyre had established extensive trading networks and colonies across the known world, making it exceptionally wealthy and influential. This verse specifically highlights the source of its material prosperity: its successful control over vital sea routes for essential goods. Historically, Tyre's strategic location and advanced seafaring technology allowed it to monopolize much of the trade between the resource-rich regions, such as Egypt (providing grain), and other Mediterranean markets. The chapter forecasts the downfall of this proud and economically dominant city, attributing its impending destruction to a sovereign act of the Lord to humble human pride and reveal His ultimate power over even the most formidable human empires.

Word analysis

• And on great waters (וּבְמַ֣יִם רַבִּ֔ים u-ve-mayim rabbim):

  • וּבְ (u-ve): "and in/on." Connects this clause to Tyre's prosperity.
  • מַ֣יִם רַבִּ֔ים (mayim rabbim): "great waters," refers specifically to the Mediterranean Sea. It denotes the vastness of the trading lanes and the source of Tyre's global reach. Metaphorically, "great waters" can sometimes signify multitude of peoples or turmoil (e.g., Rev 17:15). Here, it primarily points to the literal maritime trade routes crucial for Tyre's economy.

• the grain of Shihor (זֶ֣רַע שִׁחֹ֗ר zera Shimchor):

  • זֶ֣רַע (zera): "grain," "seed," "sowing." Here, it signifies the primary agricultural produce, a staple food commodity vital for sustenance and trade.
  • שִׁחֹ֗ר (Shimchor): Refers to the Nile River or a canal/branch connected to it, specifically in its southern reach. It literally means "dark" or "black," likely referring to the rich dark silt deposited by the Nile's floods. It underscores the fertile agricultural land of Egypt.

• the harvest of the Nile (קְצִ֤יר יְאֹר֙ qetzir ye'or):

  • קְצִ֤יר (qetzir): "harvest," "reaping." This term reiterates the agricultural abundance derived from the Egyptian river. It emphasizes the seasonal yield.
  • יְאֹר֙ (ye'or): Explicitly means "Nile." This confirms Shihor as directly referencing the famous Egyptian river, leaving no doubt about the source of the produce.

• was her revenue (הִ֚יא תְּבוּאָתָ֔הּ hi tev'u'atah):

  • הִ֚יא (hi): "she" (referring to Tyre), emphasizing its direct involvement and beneficiary status.
  • תְּבוּאָתָ֔הּ (tev'u'atah): "her revenue," "her produce," "her gain," "her income." This is the core economic term. It shows that these agricultural imports weren't just for survival but formed the lucrative basis of Tyre's immense wealth and trade operations.

• and she was the market of nations (וַתְּהִ֖י סְחַר־גּוֹיִֽם va-tehi sakhar-goyim):

  • וַתְּהִ֖י (va-tehi): "and she was." Connects Tyre's economic engine to its global status.
  • סְחַר־ (sakhar): "trade," "commerce," "merchandise." It denotes the actual exchange of goods, making Tyre the center of these transactions.
  • גּוֹיִֽם (goyim): "nations," "peoples." This emphasizes Tyre's international reach and influence, positioning it as a pivotal nexus where diverse peoples and their goods converged. It signifies a global marketplace rather than a local one.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And on great waters the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile...": This phrase connects Tyre's geographical context (maritime), its primary imports (Egyptian grain), and its economic dependence on fertile river systems accessed via sea. It highlights the strategic exploitation of distant agricultural abundance.
• "...was her revenue; and she was the market of nations.": This clause delineates the ultimate outcome and identity of Tyre. The valuable agricultural products from Egypt, transported over vast seas, directly translated into Tyre's immense profit ("revenue"), which then cemented its position as the central "market" or trading hub for "nations." This portrays Tyre as the ultimate economic intermediary and beneficiary in global commerce.

Commentary

Isaiah 23:3 concisely encapsulates the fundamental source of Tyre's power and international prestige. It highlights that the city's celebrated status as a commercial giant—"the market of nations"—was not solely based on its local produce or manufactured goods, but critically depended on its sophisticated system of importing raw materials and staple commodities from external sources, most notably the lifeblood "grain of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile" (Egypt). This trade was made possible by its mastery of the "great waters" of the Mediterranean. This verse, therefore, paints a picture of a nation whose identity and prosperity were intrinsically linked to its economic might, sustained by international trade routes and control over crucial resources. The subsequent prophecies of its fall underline a crucial biblical principle: any wealth or power derived from human ingenuity and natural resources, however impressive, remains subservient to divine sovereignty. Earthly empires built on transient glories will ultimately face God's judgment and humble their pride, serving as a reminder against the vanity of trusting in uncertain riches.

Bonus section

• The term "Shihor" could also refer to the Pelusiac branch of the Nile or a specific delta region, emphasizing the key agricultural zones of Egypt.
• Tyre's role as "the market of nations" illustrates the ancient equivalent of a global financial and trade capital, much like modern-day major trading hubs. This meant it was a center for banking, goods exchange, and perhaps even currency standardization in its region.
• The dependence on the Nile's harvest signifies a reliance on an unpredictable and foreign resource, setting the stage for potential vulnerability, especially if the source of that resource (Egypt) came under judgment (as seen in Isa 19).
• The Phoenicians (of whom Tyre was a leading city) were renowned for their extensive colonization, establishing trading posts across the Mediterranean to facilitate their commercial empire, which aligns perfectly with being a "market of nations."

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