Isaiah 23:15-16
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse contrasts Tyre's impending desolation with its eventual, but ultimately unchanged, "song" – a return to its former way of life, characterized by enticing merchants and worldly gain, much like a prostitute lures customers. This highlights that while God's judgment can bring temporary ruin, the city's "song" signifies a core identity that persists, waiting to be redeemed or to fall into the same patterns again.
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: “Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody; sing many songs, that you may be remembered.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a period of judgment where Tyre will be "forgotten," the prophet Isaiah turns to speak of restoration. This verse marks the beginning of that hopeful shift, promising that after seventy years, Tyre will regain its commercial prominence. The mention of "seventy years" is significant, aligning with the duration of the Babylonian exile for Judah, suggesting a divinely appointed period of humbling before revival.
Why seventy years? This isn't just a random number, but a significant period tied to God's historical dealings with nations. What does this 'forgotten' period signify for Tyre, and for us?
A Set Time for God's Purposes
The prophecy in Isaiah 23:15 speaks of Tyre being 'forgotten for seventy years.' This period isn't arbitrary. Many scholars connect it to the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity for Judah, as predicted by Jeremiah.
After being forgotten, Tyre will 'sing as the harlot.' What does this striking image reveal about her future prosperity, and its underlying character?
Ask a follow-up
The Nature of Tyre's Recovery
The prophecy doesn't end with judgment; it includes a future for Tyre. However, the description of its recovery is complex:
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.
kinnor · Hebrew Noun
A stringed musical instrument frequently used in the Bible for worship, praise, and in this context, to attract attention or accompany singing. It symbolizes joy, celebration, and spiritual expression.
zonah · Hebrew Noun/Participle
A person who engages in illicit sexual activity for payment; metaphorically used in the prophetic books to describe nations or individuals who are unfaithful to God, pursuing worldly gain, or engaging in idolatry.
The prophecy of Tyre being 'forgotten for seventy years' directly aligns with the period of Babylonian dominance and the subsequent release of the Jewish exiles. This context highlights God's sovereign hand over nations and the cyclical nature of judgment and restoration.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins his military campaigns, leading to the first deportation of Jewish exiles, including Daniel, and subjugating surrounding nations. This marks the beginning of the 70-year period of Babylonian dominance.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event, along with the earlier deportations, fulfills Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years of Babylonian servitude for Judah.
c. 573 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Siege of Tyre
Nebuchadnezzar undertakes a prolonged siege of the island city of Tyre. While the mainland city falls relatively quickly, the island fortress holds out for thirteen years, eventually succumbing. This event significantly disrupts Tyre's commercial dominance and begins its period of 'forgetting.'
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Captures Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event marks the end of the 70-year period of Babylonian dominion prophesied by Jeremiah, leading to the release of Jewish exiles.
Post-Exilic Period
Tyre's Resurgence
After the seventy-year period of decline and 'forgetting,' Tyre gradually regains its commercial prominence, trading with various nations and becoming known for its valuable purple dyes.
This passage directly links the seventy-year period of desolation and servitude to the Babylonian empire, providing historical context for Isaiah's prophecy about Tyre being forgotten for seventy years.
Ezekiel 26:15-16Ezekiel describes Tyre's downfall and its subsequent lamentations, drawing a parallel to the 'song of the harlot' that Isaiah mentions, emphasizing the city's commercial identity and the shock of its ruin.
Revelation 17:1-2The imagery of a 'harlot' used to describe Tyre's commercial enticement of nations finds a powerful parallel in the description of the 'great prostitute' in Revelation, symbolizing corrupt economic and political systems.
Daniel 9:2Daniel reflects on Jeremiah's prophecy of seventy years, showing how this specific time frame became a significant marker for periods of exile and divine judgment in Israelite understanding.
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 verse contrasts Tyre's impending desolation with its eventual, but ultimately unchanged, "song" – a return to its former way of life, characterized by enticing merchants and worldly gain, much like a prostitute lures customers. This highlights that while God's judgment can bring temporary ruin, the city's "song" signifies a core identity that persists, waiting to be redeemed or to fall into the same patterns again.
After a period of judgment where Tyre will be "forgotten," the prophet Isaiah turns to speak of restoration. This verse marks the beginning of that hopeful shift, promising that after seventy years, Tyre will regain its commercial prominence. The mention of "seventy years" is significant, aligning with the duration of the Babylonian exile for Judah, suggesting a divinely appointed period of humbling before revival.
After a period of judgment where Tyre will be "forgotten," the prophet Isaiah turns to speak of restoration. This verse marks the beginning of that hopeful shift, promising that after seventy years, Tyre will regain its commercial prominence. The mention of "seventy years" is significant, aligning with the duration of the Babylonian exile for Judah, suggesting a divinely appointed period of humbling before revival.
"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: “Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute!…" — The verse contrasts Tyre's impending desolation with its eventual, but ultimately unchanged, "song" – a return to its former way of life, characterized by enticing merchants and worldly gain, much li…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
