Isaiah 23:17

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֞ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִקֵּ֣ץ׀

H7093

And it shall come to pass after the end

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

שִׁבְעִ֣ים

H7657

of seventy

seventy

שָׁנָ֗ה

H8141

years

a year (as a revolution of time)

יִפְקֹ֤ד

H6485

will visit

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

יְהוָה֙

H3068

that the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צֹ֔ר

H6865

Tyre

tsor, a place in palestine

וְשָׁבָ֖ה

H7725

and she shall turn

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#10

לְאֶתְנַנָּ֑ה

H868

to her hire

a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry)

#11

וְזָֽנְתָ֛ה

H2181

and shall commit fornication

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

#12

אֶת

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#13

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

מַמְלְכ֥וֹת

H4467

with all the kingdoms

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

#15

הָאָ֖רֶץ

H776

of the world

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#16

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#17

פְּנֵ֥י

H6440

upon the face

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#18

הָאֲדָמָֽה׃

H127

of the earth

soil (from its general redness)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Isaiah, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of kingdom connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about kingdom, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Isaiah.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of kingdom of God, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of eschatology and the doctrine of last things?
In what ways does understanding kingdom in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about kingdom of God?
What practical applications emerge from understanding kingdom of God as presented in this verse, particularly in light of providing hope in times of political and social upheaval?

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