Isaiah 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּימֵ֖י
And it shall come to pass in that day
H3117
כִּימֵ֖י
And it shall come to pass in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְנִשְׁכַּ֤חַת
shall be forgotten
H7911
וְנִשְׁכַּ֤חַת
shall be forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
4 of 17
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
כִּימֵ֖י
And it shall come to pass in that day
H3117
כִּימֵ֖י
And it shall come to pass in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מִקֵּ֞ץ
after the end
H7093
מִקֵּ֞ץ
after the end
Strong's:
H7093
Word #:
11 of 17
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
יִהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Historically, Tyre did partially recover after Babylonian destruction and Persian-period subjugation. By Alexander's time (332 BC) she had regained enough prosperity to resist his siege. However, she never fully recovered her ancient dominance. The prophecy's main fulfillment may be typological: cycles of judgment, partial restoration, and final judgment pattern human history until Christ's return.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that even after judgment, Tyre returns to the same sins rather than repenting?
- How does the prostitute metaphor reveal the spiritual nature of commerce conducted without regard for God's justice?
- Why does temporary relief from judgment often fail to produce lasting change in individuals or nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In that day shall Tyre be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king—The shiv'im shanah (seventy years) parallels Judah's exile (Jeremiah 25:11). The phrase 'according to the days of one king' (kimey melek echad) is enigmatic: either the typical reign of a long-lived monarch, or metaphorically 'one kingdom's era.' Seventy years suggests a lifetime—a generation that never knew Tyre's glory. After the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot—The verb shiyr (sing) takes a dark turn with the simile: as a zonah (prostitute/harlot) sings to attract clients.
Verses 16-17 elaborate the prostitute metaphor: Tyre, forgotten and aging, must return to her 'trade' (a wordplay: etan means both 'wages' and 'prostitute's hire'). This isn't prophecy of moral improvement but of pragmatic resumption of commerce after judgment's pause. The underlying critique: Phoenician trade was always spiritual prostitution—selling herself to any buyer, forming alliances based on profit not principle, worshiping wealth above God. After seventy years, she returns to the same sin. The partial restoration demonstrates that divine judgment, even when lifted, doesn't automatically produce repentance. Only the gospel transforms hearts.