Isaiah 23:7
Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽימֵי
days
H3117
מִֽימֵי
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 10
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
קֶ֤דֶם
is of ancient
H6924
קֶ֤דֶם
is of ancient
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
5 of 10
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
קַדְמָתָהּ֙
city whose antiquity
H6927
קַדְמָתָהּ֙
city whose antiquity
Strong's:
H6927
Word #:
6 of 10
priority (in time); also used adverbially (before)
יֹבִל֣וּהָ
shall carry
H2986
יֹבִל֣וּהָ
shall carry
Strong's:
H2986
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)
רַגְלֶ֔יהָ
her own feet
H7272
רַגְלֶ֔יהָ
her own feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
8 of 10
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Historical Context
Tyre claimed legendary origins with Heracles/Melqart as patron deity. The city's temples, palaces, and commercial infrastructure represented centuries of accumulated wealth and culture. Its fall to Nebuchadnezzar and later Alexander destroyed not just a city but an entire civilization, scattering its people across the Mediterranean as refugees and slaves.
Questions for Reflection
- What institutions or traditions claim immunity from judgment based on age, tradition, or cultural achievement?
- How does God view human history and cultural legacy differently than we do?
- What does it mean that those who were hosts become sojourners—how does pride lead to humiliation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? (הֲזֹאת לָכֶם עַלִּיזָה מִימֵי קֶדֶם קַדְמָתָהּ)—The rhetorical question drips with irony. Tyre, the 'joyous' (alliyzah) city known for celebrations, music, and festive commerce, now lies in ruins. Her qedem (antiquity) stretches back centuries—Josephus claims Tyre was founded c. 1200 BC, making it over 500 years old in Isaiah's day. Ancient pedigree provided no immunity from judgment.
Her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn—The very 'feet' that once danced in joy now trudge into exile. The Hebrew guwr (sojourn/dwell as alien) describes the immigrant or refugee status. Those who hosted foreign merchants in their marketplace now become foreigners themselves, sojourners without homeland. This reversal echoes Israel's own experience: the people called to be a light to nations faced exile when they forgot their God. Tyre's fall demonstrates that cultural achievement, economic power, and historical longevity mean nothing without covenant faithfulness to the Creator.