Isaiah 23:4
Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.
Original Language Analysis
בּ֣וֹשִׁי
Be thou ashamed
H954
בּ֣וֹשִׁי
Be thou ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
צִיד֔וֹן
O Zidon
H6721
צִיד֔וֹן
O Zidon
Strong's:
H6721
Word #:
2 of 17
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַיָּ֖ם
for the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֖ם
for the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 17
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
מָע֥וֹז
even the strength
H4581
מָע֥וֹז
even the strength
Strong's:
H4581
Word #:
6 of 17
a fortified place; figuratively, a defense
הַיָּ֖ם
for the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֖ם
for the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
7 of 17
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חַ֣לְתִּי
I travail
H2342
חַ֣לְתִּי
I travail
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָלַ֗דְתִּי
not nor bring forth children
H3205
יָלַ֗דְתִּי
not nor bring forth children
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
12 of 17
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
גִדַּ֛לְתִּי
neither do I nourish up
H1431
גִדַּ֛לְתִּי
neither do I nourish up
Strong's:
H1431
Word #:
14 of 17
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
בַּחוּרִ֖ים
young men
H970
בַּחוּרִ֖ים
young men
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
Historical Context
Phoenician society was intensely commercial, with merchant families dominating culture. Archaeological evidence suggests smaller family sizes among elite trading classes compared to agricultural societies. The focus on maritime commerce may have disrupted traditional family structures, with men away for extended voyages and cultural emphasis on wealth accumulation over child-rearing.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for a society to be economically prosperous but culturally barren, producing wealth but not children?
- How do modern cultures make Tyre's mistake of valuing commercial success over investment in the next generation?
- What is the relationship between a society's fertility and its ultimate survival, regardless of economic strength?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken—The sea itself (yam), source of Phoenicia's wealth and power, becomes witness against her. The personified ocean declares: I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. The Hebrew verbs chalti (travail), yaladti (give birth), gaddalti (bring up) describe maternal nurture—all negated.
This metaphor is devastating: Sidon's maritime empire produced wealth but not life. Ships brought gold, not children. Their strength (ma'oz hayyam, 'the strength of the sea') generated commerce but not community. The sea's testimony condemns civilizations that sacrifice family, fertility, and future generations for economic gain. Phoenician culture, focused on trade and profit, apparently neglected demographic and cultural reproduction. The prophetic indictment anticipates modern societies choosing affluence over children, career over family—exchanging future hope for present prosperity. A nation that ceases bearing and raising children has chosen slow suicide, however economically successful.