In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "seventy years" mentioned isn't just a number; it's a divine reset, marking the end of Babylonian oppression and the city's return to its notorious trade, but with a future twist. This period is likened to "the days of one king," suggesting a complete cycle of dominion and subsequent liberation, setting the stage for Tyre's re-emergence as a bustling, albeit morally ambiguous, trade hub.
In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a period of divine judgment and neglect, the mighty city of Tyre will eventually regain its former prosperity and commercial influence. This restoration, predicted to last for seventy years, mirrors the duration of the Babylonian exile, after which Tyre will once again thrive as a bustling trade center, attracting nations to its wealth and wares.
What does it mean for a thriving city like Tyre to be 'forgotten'? This verse paints a picture of a dramatic fall from grace, but also a foretold recovery.
A Period of Oblivion
The verse speaks of Tyre being "forgotten for seventy years." This isn't just a casual mention; it signifies a complete loss of prominence and influence. Think of it as a city falling completely off the world's radar. This period is tied to the "days of one king," which scholars widely interpret as referring to the duration of the Babylonian empire – a specific, divinely appointed era of judgment.
The Babylonian Captivity Connection
Many commentators connect this "seventy years" to the seventy years of Israel's exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11-12). This highlights a significant theological point: the judgment on nations like Tyre was often intertwined with God's dealings with His people. Tyre's fall wasn't isolated; it was part of a larger divine plan unfolding during that specific historical period.
After being forgotten, Tyre is promised to 'sing as the harlot.' What does this surprising image reveal about Tyre's future and its enduring nature?
A Return to Commerce, Not Character
The phrase "sing as an harlot" is a powerful metaphor for Tyre's restoration. It signifies a return to its former bustling commercial activity, its ability to attract merchants from all nations, and its vibrant economic life. However, the comparison to a harlot also carries a critical undertone. Throughout Scripture, cities or nations known for extensive trade are often depicted as harlots (Revelation 17:2; Nahum 3:4) because their pursuit of gain can lead to moral compromise, enticement, and spiritual unfaithfulness.
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A Cycle of Prosperity and Temptation
This imagery suggests that while Tyre would indeed regain its wealth and influence after the seventy years, its fundamental character—its reliance on worldly gain and its susceptibility to moral corruption—would remain. The "song" implies a re-engagement with the world's systems and a return to its old ways of attracting prosperity, even if the outward circumstances change.
Understand the original words
zonah · Hebrew Noun
A term often used in the Old Testament to describe one who is unfaithful, particularly in a spiritual sense. It implies selling oneself to idols, foreign alliances, or worldly gains rather than remaining faithful to the Lord.
The 'seventy years' mentioned for Tyre's obscurity is directly linked to the 70-year Babylonian exile of Judah, a period of divine judgment and subsequent restoration for God's people. Tyre's own period of being 'forgotten' by the world stage during this time, followed by its resurgence, highlights God's sovereign hand over nations.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Deportation of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins his campaigns against the region, leading to the first major deportation of Judean exiles, including Daniel. This marks the start of the Babylonian domination over Judah.
c. 587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar, the Temple is destroyed, and a second, larger deportation of Judeans occurs. This event establishes the 70-year period of Babylonian exile for Judah.
c. 573 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre
Nebuchadnezzar undertakes a lengthy and difficult siege of the island city of Tyre, eventually forcing its submission. This event plunges Tyre into a period of significant decline and obscurity.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Cyrus
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, bringing an end to the Babylonian Empire. This marks the close of the prophesied 70-year period of dominion and exile for Judah.
Post-539 BC
Tyre's Restoration and Resumption of Trade
Following the fall of Babylon and the subsequent Persian rule, Tyre gradually recovers its prominence as a major trading center, as predicted by Isaiah.
This passage directly connects the seventy-year period to the Babylonian exile and the subsequent liberation of nations, providing a historical and chronological anchor for Isaiah's prophecy about Tyre.
Ezekiel 26:1-14Ezekiel offers a parallel prophecy against Tyre, detailing its destruction and desolation, which strongly complements Isaiah's message and adds depth to the understanding of Tyre's judgment.
Revelation 17:1-6This New Testament passage uses the imagery of a 'harlot' city to represent a powerful, corrupt entity, echoing Isaiah's comparison of Tyre's restored prosperity to the 'song of the harlot' and highlighting the ongoing spiritual battle against worldly influence.
Daniel 9:2Daniel specifically references Jeremiah's prophecy of seventy years, demonstrating how this period was understood and applied in later prophetic thought, reinforcing the significance of the seventy-year timeframe.
barnesIsaiah 23:15: "And 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 shall Tyre sing as an harlot."
Tyre shall be forgotten - Shall cease to be a place of importance in commerce; shall be unheard of in those distant places to which ships formerly sailed. Seventy years, according to the days of one king - 'That is, of one kingdom (see Daniel 7:17; Daniel 8:20).' (Lowth) The word 'king' may denote dynas…
bensonIsaiah 23:15: "And 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 shall Tyre sing as an harlot."
Isaiah 23:15-17 . And it shall come to pass, &c. — Here begins the second part of this discourse, which contains an alleviation of the judgment decreed against Tyre. The prophet foretels, 1st, “That God would circumscribe within certain bounds his severity to Tyre, and within seventy years restore it to…
The "seventy years" mentioned isn't just a number; it's a divine reset, marking the end of Babylonian oppression and the city's return to its notorious trade, but with a future twist. This period is likened to "the days of one king," suggesting a complete cycle of dominion and subsequent liberation, setting the stage for Tyre's re-emergence as a bustling, albeit morally ambiguous, trade hub.
After a period of divine judgment and neglect, the mighty city of Tyre will eventually regain its former prosperity and commercial influence. This restoration, predicted to last for seventy years, mirrors the duration of the Babylonian exile, after which Tyre will once again thrive as a bustling trade center, attracting nations to its wealth and wares.
After a period of divine judgment and neglect, the mighty city of Tyre will eventually regain its former prosperity and commercial influence. This restoration, predicted to last for seventy years, mirrors the duration of the Babylonian exile, after which Tyre will once again thrive as a bustling trade center, attracting nations to its wealth and wares.
"In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:" — The "seventy years" mentioned isn't just a number; it's a divine reset, marking the end of Babylonian oppression and the city's return to its notorious trade, but with a future twist. This period is…
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Last reviewed October 2026