When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a surprising economic ripple effect: the news of Tyre’s destruction will cause "anguish" in Egypt, not just from fear of a common enemy, but because their vital trade depends on Tyre. This isn't just a geopolitical event; it's a stark reminder of how interconnected economies are, even in ancient times.
When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a prophecy against the wealthy and proud city of Tyre, a major commercial hub. This specific verse highlights the far-reaching impact of Tyre's impending destruction, showing how its downfall would cause widespread distress and anxiety, even to nations like Egypt that were not directly involved in the immediate conflict. The prophecy anticipates a significant blow to Tyre's economic and political standing, impacting its neighbors and trade partners.
Why would the destruction of a faraway city like Tyre cause anguish in Egypt? It wasn't just about politics, but about bread!
The prophecy in Isaiah 23:5 highlights the deep economic ties between Tyre and Egypt. Tyre was a major trading hub, and its prosperity depended heavily on importing goods, particularly grain, from Egypt.
A Vital Trade Route
When news of Tyre's downfall reached Egypt, it wasn't just a political shockwave. It meant a disruption to their most lucrative trade. Egypt, with its abundant harvests, relied on Tyre as a key market. The loss of Tyre as a trading partner meant a significant blow to Egypt's economy, leading to 'anguish' and 'pain'.
Domino Effect of Destruction
This verse shows us how interconnected economies can be. The collapse of one major player can send ripples of distress far beyond its borders. It's a reminder that what happens in global commerce today can have real, tangible impacts on people's livelihoods, just as it did for the Egyptians centuries ago.
When a powerful city falls, what does it reveal about the fears of its neighbors? It's not just about lost trade, but about lost security.
The pain felt by Egypt at Tyre's destruction was more than just economic; it was also rooted in a deep-seated fear for their own security.
A Vulnerable Neighbor
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Tyre was a formidable city, often described as impregnable. Its downfall signaled that even the mightiest could be brought low. For Egypt, this was a terrifying prospect. If a city as strong as Tyre could fall, what did that mean for Egypt? The report of Tyre's fate served as a stark warning, suggesting that the same destructive force could soon turn its attention toward them.
Shared Enemy, Shared Fate
Commentators suggest that Assyria (or later, Babylon) was a common enemy that threatened both Tyre and Egypt. The fall of Tyre meant that the conquering army was now closer and more powerful, leaving Egypt feeling exposed and vulnerable. The anguish, therefore, was a primal fear: 'If it happened to them, could it happen to us next?'
Understand the original words
shema' · Hebrew Noun
A message, news, or account brought to others; frequently used to describe a pronouncement that stirs fear or distress.
chil · Hebrew Noun
A state of extreme pain, suffering, or deep internal distress, often characterizing the emotional reaction to catastrophic news.
The prophecy about Tyre's destruction and Egypt's anguish assumes a context where Tyre was a vital trading partner for Egypt. Its fall signals not just the end of a city, but a major disruption to regional economies and a sign of escalating imperial power, like that of Babylon, which would inevitably threaten other nations, including Egypt.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians, intensifying regional instability and highlighting the growing threat of major imperial powers.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah and besieges Jerusalem. This event demonstrates the vulnerability of even fortified cities to Assyrian military might.
c. 689 BC
Destruction of Babylon by Sennacherib
The Assyrian king Sennacherib brutally destroys Babylon. This event serves as a stark warning of the devastating power available to Assyrian rulers.
c. 664-610 BC
Egyptian Independence Under Psamtik I
Psamtik I reunites Egypt and expels Assyrian influence, restoring Egyptian power and potentially fostering alliances with other states against Assyria. This period likely saw significant trade with Tyre.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar II
The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and exiles much of the Judean population. This event marks the end of Judah as an independent kingdom and underscores Babylon's dominance in the region.
c. 574-573 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar II's Siege of Tyre
Nebuchadnezzar II undertakes a lengthy and difficult siege of the island city of Tyre. The eventual fall of Tyre, a major commercial and naval power, would send shockwaves through the ancient Near East, impacting trade and political alliances.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Great
The Persian king Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This shift in power further reshapes the political landscape.
This passage lists nations that will drink the cup of wrath, including Tyre, showing its inclusion among those facing divine judgment and the ensuing distress.
Ezekiel 26:15-16This prophecy directly addresses Tyre's destruction, describing the terror and lamentation that will arise from its fall, mirroring the anguish mentioned in Isaiah.
Psalm 105:23-24This psalm recounts God's action in Egypt, turning their hearts to hate His people and to plot against them; the 'anguish' in Isaiah can be seen as a consequence of divine judgment, similar to Egypt's fate.
Amos 1:9-10This passage describes God's judgment on Tyre for its treachery in delivering up refugees to Edom, highlighting the severe consequences of its actions and the resulting outcry.
bensonIsaiah 23:5: "As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre."
Isaiah 23:5 . As at the report concerning Egypt, &c. — “The words, as they stand in our translation, imply, that the Zidonians, spoken of Isaiah 23:4 , or in general other neighbouring places, should be as much concerned at the news of the destruction of Tyre as they were at the calamity of Egypt, mentioned chap. 19. But there is a difficulty in admitting this sense, because the destruction o…
cambridgeIsaiah 23:5: "As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre."
5 . The verse should be read as in R.V. When the report cometh to Egypt, they shall be sorely pained at the report of Tyre . Assyria being the common enemy of Egypt and Tyre, the report of the latter’s fall is received with the utmost anxiety in Egypt.
The verse highlights a surprising economic ripple effect: the news of Tyre’s destruction will cause "anguish" in Egypt, not just from fear of a common enemy, but because their vital trade depends on Tyre. This isn't just a geopolitical event; it's a stark reminder of how interconnected economies are, even in ancient times.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a prophecy against the wealthy and proud city of Tyre, a major commercial hub. This specific verse highlights the far-reaching impact of Tyre's impending destruction, showing how its downfall would cause widespread distress and anxiety, even to nations like Egypt that were not directly involved in the immediate conflict. The prophecy anticipates a significant blow to Tyre's economic and political standing, impacting its neighbors and trade partners.
The prophet Isaiah is delivering a prophecy against the wealthy and proud city of Tyre, a major commercial hub. This specific verse highlights the far-reaching impact of Tyre's impending destruction, showing how its downfall would cause widespread distress and anxiety, even to nations like Egypt that were not directly involved in the immediate conflict. The prophecy anticipates a significant blow to Tyre's economic and political standing, impacting its neighbors and trade partners.
"When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre." — The verse highlights a surprising economic ripple effect: the news of Tyre’s destruction will cause "anguish" in Egypt, not just from fear of a common enemy, but because their vital trade depends on…
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Last reviewed October 2026