Breakdown of Isaiah 23:5-11

"When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre. Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coast! Is this your exultant city whose origin is from days of old, whose fe…" — The phrase "anguish" here isn't just sadness; it specifically describes the severe, almost agonizing pain of childbirth, highlighting how deeply Egypt would suffer from the news of Tyre's downfall. T…

Isaiah 23:5-11 Meaning Explained

All verses

Isaiah 23:5-11

When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre. Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coast! Is this your exultant city whose origin is from days of old, whose feet carried her to settle far away? Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth. Cross over your land like the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no restraint anymore. He has stretched out his hand over the sea; he has shaken the kingdoms; the LORD has given command concerning Canaan to destroy its strongholds.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The phrase "anguish" here isn't just sadness; it specifically describes the severe, almost agonizing pain of childbirth, highlighting how deeply Egypt would suffer from the news of Tyre's downfall. This emphasizes the interconnectedness of ancient economies and the devastating impact that the fall of one major trading hub could have on others, especially when commerce and political stability were threatened.

What Isaiah 23:5-11 means

The prophecy is detailing the impending destruction of the mighty city of Tyre, a global trade hub. Before this verse, Isaiah describes the lament of ships that relied on Tyre for commerce. Here, the focus shifts to Egypt, showing how the news of Tyre's downfall will cause them great distress, likely due to their economic ties and potential fear of a similar fate.

Economic Interdependence and Shared Anxiety

Why would the destruction of one city, Tyre, cause such intense distress in Egypt, a distant kingdom?

The prophecy reveals a deep economic connection between Tyre and Egypt. Tyre, a powerful trading hub, relied on Egypt for vital resources like grain (often referred to as the "seed of Sihor" or "harvest of the river," drawing from the Nile's bounty).

When news of Tyre's impending downfall reached Egypt, it wasn't just a geopolitical event; it was an economic crisis. The loss of Tyre meant the disruption of a lucrative trade partnership, impacting Egypt's own prosperity. This shared economic fate created a palpable sense of anguish and fear in Egypt over the fate of Tyre.

The Fear of Approaching Judgment

Beyond lost trade, what other fears might have gripped Egypt as they heard about Tyre's destruction?

The "sore pain" (or anguish) described in Isaiah 23:5 likely extended beyond mere economic loss. For Egypt, hearing of Tyre's fall was a terrifying omen.

Tyre was a formidable, seemingly impregnable city. Its destruction by a powerful enemy (likely the Babylonians, according to historical context) signaled that no nation was safe. Egypt might have feared that the same enemy, having conquered Tyre, would then turn its attention towards them. This is a classic case of shared vulnerability: the fall of a strong ally or buffer state often amplifies the fear of one's own imminent doom.

Understand the original words

Original language

reportשֵׁמַע

shema' · Hebrew Noun

A message, news, or account brought to others; frequently used to describe a pronouncement that stirs fear or distress.

anguishחִיל

chil · Hebrew Noun

A state of extreme pain, suffering, or deep internal distress, often characterizing the emotional reaction to catastrophic news.

Cross overעָבַר

abar · Hebrew Verb

In the context of judgment or exile, to pass over or through a territory, often implying a journey into displacement or migration to a foreign land.

Tarshishתַּרְשִׁישׁ

Tarshish · Hebrew Noun

A Phoenician port city often associated with the furthest reaches of the Western Mediterranean; it symbolizes distant, wealthy, and autonomous seafaring centers.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 740 and 701 BC
Author: Isaiah the prophet
Location: Judah
Genre: Prophecy with vivid imagery and metaphorical language, including personification.

Historical background

This prophecy likely addresses the fears and anxieties of Egypt in the face of powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon, which repeatedly threatened and conquered regional powers, including Tyre. The fall of Tyre would have signaled to Egypt that no city was too mighty to fall, potentially bringing the conquerors closer to their own borders.

c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and resettling the land with foreigners. This event would have sent shockwaves throughout the region, increasing anxiety about Assyrian power.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria attacks Judah, besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem survives, the devastation of surrounding cities and the immense power displayed by Assyria would have been widely reported and feared.
c. 689 BC
Destruction of Babylon
The Assyrian king Sennacherib destroys Babylon after a rebellion. This massive destruction of a major city by Assyrian forces would have served as a stark warning to other powerful city-states.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah, deporting some of the royal family and elite to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance in the region.

Key themes

01Interconnectedness of nations
02Economic impact of war
03Divine judgment on pride

Cross-references

Jeremiah 46:1-12

This passage describes Egypt's distress and military defeat, showing how news of a major power's downfall could cause widespread anguish, paralleling the reaction to Tyre's destruction.

Ezekiel 26:1-14

Ezekiel also prophesies against Tyre, detailing its destruction and the grief it would cause to merchants and nations who traded with it, highlighting the economic and social impact of Tyre's fall.

Psalm 2:1-5

This psalm speaks of rulers raging against the Lord and His Anointed, but God's ultimate sovereignty in bringing their plans to nothing, which resonates with how earthly powers and their fall can cause turmoil and fear among nations.

Isaiah 19:1-15

This chapter details the prophecy against Egypt, describing its internal turmoil and distress, which helps contextualize the 'anguish' mentioned in relation to Egypt when hearing news of Tyre's destruction. It shows that Egypt itself was subject to divine judgment and fear.

Scholarly commentary

Isaiah 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…
benson

Isaiah 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.
cambridge

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What Isaiah 23:5-11 means

Original language

reportשֵׁמַע

shema' · Hebrew Noun

A message, news, or account brought to others; frequently used to describe a pronouncement that stirs fear or distress.

anguishחִיל

chil · Hebrew Noun

A state of extreme pain, suffering, or deep internal distress, often characterizing the emotional reaction to catastrophic news.

Cross overעָבַר

abar · Hebrew Verb

In the context of judgment or exile, to pass over or through a territory, often implying a journey into displacement or migration to a foreign land.

Tarshishתַּרְשִׁישׁ

Tarshish · Hebrew Noun

A Phoenician port city often associated with the furthest reaches of the Western Mediterranean; it symbolizes distant, wealthy, and autonomous seafaring centers.

Historical background

c. 722 BC

Fall of Samaria

The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and resettling the land with foreigners. This event would have sent shockwaves throughout the region, increasing anxiety about Assyrian power.

c. 701 BC

Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem

King Sennacherib of Assyria attacks Judah, besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem survives, the devastation of surrounding cities and the immense power displayed by Assyria would have been widely reported and feared.

c. 689 BC

Destruction of Babylon

The Assyrian king Sennacherib destroys Babylon after a rebellion. This massive destruction of a major city by Assyrian forces would have served as a stark warning to other powerful city-states.

c. 605 BC

First Babylonian Deportation

Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Judah, deporting some of the royal family and elite to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance in the region.