Isaiah 23:12
And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוֹסִ֥יפִי
Thou shalt no more
H3254
תוֹסִ֥יפִי
Thou shalt no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
3 of 17
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
הַֽמְעֻשָּׁקָ֞ה
O thou oppressed
H6231
הַֽמְעֻשָּׁקָ֞ה
O thou oppressed
Strong's:
H6231
Word #:
6 of 17
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
בְּתוּלַ֣ת
virgin
H1330
בְּתוּלַ֣ת
virgin
Strong's:
H1330
Word #:
7 of 17
a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state
בַּת
daughter
H1323
בַּת
daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
8 of 17
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
צִיד֗וֹן
of Zidon
H6721
צִיד֗וֹן
of Zidon
Strong's:
H6721
Word #:
9 of 17
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
כִּתִּיים֙
to Chittim
H3794
כִּתִּיים֙
to Chittim
Strong's:
H3794
Word #:
10 of 17
a kittite or cypriote; hence, an islander in general, i.e., the greeks or romans on the shores opposite palestine
ק֣וּמִי
arise
H6965
ק֣וּמִי
arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
11 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עֲבֹ֔רִי
pass over
H5674
עֲבֹ֔רִי
pass over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
12 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Revelation 18:22And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;Isaiah 47:1Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
Historical Context
Phoenician colonies in Cyprus, established centuries earlier as trading posts, could not absorb or protect refugees from Tyre's destruction. The island itself fell to various conquerors (Assyria, Persia, Alexander), offering no security. Phoenician refugees scattered across the Mediterranean, many enslaved, others assimilating into foreign cultures—a diaspora that lost its distinct identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does oppressing others ultimately destroy the oppressor's own peace and security?
- What does 'restlessness' mean as a spiritual condition, and how does it manifest in those fleeing God's judgment?
- Where do people today seek rest—and why do these refuges fail to provide true peace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin daughter of Zidon—The title 'oppressed virgin' (ha'ashukah betulat) is bitterly ironic: Sidon the oppressor now becomes the oppressed. 'Virgin' suggests she remained unconquered through history, proud of her independence. The verb ashaq (oppress/exploit) here turns back on the oppressor—those who crushed others now experience crushing themselves. Arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest—Chittim (כִּתִּים) refers to Cyprus, another Phoenician colony. But even in distant refuge, nuach (rest/peace) eludes them.
This restlessness of the judged parallels Cain's curse: 'a fugitive and vagabond shalt thou be in the earth' (Genesis 4:12). Those who oppressed others find no resting place. The prophet Jeremiah uses identical language about Israel's exile: 'Among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest' (Deuteronomy 28:65). Oppressors and covenant-breakers share the same fate: restless wandering, perpetual insecurity, peace forever out of reach. True rest (menucha) comes only through righteousness and submission to God—a theme Jesus echoes: 'Come unto me... and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28).