Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 7 · Isaiah · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
THe burthen of Tyre, Howl ye ships of Tarshish, &c. Tyrus was an Island in Vers. 1.the time of the Prophets, as we may see in Ezek. 26. and 27. where Gods judgements against Tyre are more amply set forth, and the cause thereof: but afterwards it was by Alexander, when he besieged it, laid to the firm Land, the narrow passage betwixt them being filled up, that his Army might approach to their wals. The Countrey to which it belonged was Phaenicia, and it lay not farre from Galilee, as we may gather, where Christ is said to have gone from Galilee into the parts of Tyrus and Sydon, Mat. 15. that is, saith H. B. in Patriarchs travels fifty six miles. The cause why Tyre should be destroyed is set forth, Ezek. 26. to be their insulting over Jerusalem at the destruction thereof, the means also whereby Nebuchadrezzar King of Babylon. And Jerom saith, That in the History of the Assyrian warres, soon after the destruction Hieronym.of Jerusalem, the Philistims, Arabians, Damascus and Aegyptians were subdued also; and because Tyre is mentioned in the Psalms, as joyning with them against Gods people, The tabernacles of the Edomites and Ishmaelites, Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek, with those of Tyre; he doubts not but when they were judged, Tyre was judged also. But we need not go by such conjectures, for Iosephus saith, That thirteen years after Ierusalem was destroyed, Nebuchadnezzar went against Tyre, and with great labour making provision for his Army to approach to it, took it, and made it a place for Fishermen to dry their nets. Iosep. 9. c. 15. Tyre, Heb. is foreign signifying a rock, so called, because strong as a rock, and situated upon a rock. It was the metropolitan City of Phaenicia, the Lady of the sea, and mart of the whole world for the opportunity of the scite. Pliny saith, That it was sometime seven hundred paces from the Land, the whole compasse Plin. l. 5. c. 19.of the Land where it stood being nineteen thousand paces, the City two and twenty furlongs, being rather all as a Tower, then a City, and for riches and pomp exceeding all other Cities. For the Antiquity Berosus saith, That it was built by the seventh son of Iaphet, called Tyras, soon after the floud, but now the destruction hereof is threatned. For ships of Tarshish, that are bidden to howl; Vulgar Latine hath ships of the sea, because Tarshish signifieth the sea, for the sky-colour thereof, which Tarshish properly signifieth; see before Chap. 2. 16. The Septuagint, Ships of Carthage, because Carthage was a Colony of the Tyrians, according to that saying of Virgil,
Ʋrbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,
Carthago.
And Jerom Ezek. 27. turns the same word Carthage also, because Carthage abounded with ships, which were imployed for the Tyrians. The Caldee renders it Africa, putting the whole for the part, because Carthage stood in Africa. But it will be best to take it with Sasbont for the mediterranean sea, the most and best ships of which pertained to Tyre. Now the ships are bidden to howl by a Prosopopeia, the more to set forth the misery of their masters. Vatablus saith, that some Hebrews say, That there was a City not farre from Tyrus and Sidon, called Tarshish, but he holds the mediterranean sea, which is of a sky-colour, to be meant hereby. Calvin, Tarsus in Cilicia where P. was born. There is no entring in from the Land of Chittim, it is revealed to them. Heb. From entring in; and the words before, devastation from house, the sense being, so that no house is left, or entring in &c. By Chittim the Grecians are meant, and therefore by some the desolation brought upon Tyre by Alexander is understood to be here prophesied of. But Calvin yields good reason to the contrary, Calvin.1. Because Ezek 26. where the same thing is prophesied of, Nebuchadnezzar is expresly said to be the King that should do it. 2. Because Alexander took not Tyre till 500 years after, and what comfort would this have been to the people of God to hear, that their cruel enemies of Tyre, dwelling so near unto them, should be suffered so long to go unpunisht, when all other Nations about suffered by Babylon? 3. Because Tyre is said after this to have a King, but after being destroyed by Alexander, none, but was reduced to the form of a Commonwealth. The not coming of ships therefore from Chittim, is not to be understood as if the way were stopt up against them, but by reason of the desolation to which they should hear that this famous Mart-Town was brought, they should cease coming thither for traffick, and this is meant by these words, It is revealed to them, although Calvin refers it indifferently to Grecians or Tyrians.
Be still, O ye inhabitants of the Isle, &c. Here he further amplifieth the Vers. 2.judgement of Tyre, by shewing, That whereas in times past there used to be much noise of ships coming from Sidon thither, now they should not traffick there any more. Sidon was a City upon the sea-coast about two hundred furlongs from Tyre, and a Colony thereof, and therefore the inhabitants thereof are specially spoken of, as coming frequently to Tyre.
And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river is her revenue. Vers. 3. Hieronym.Jerom joining this to the former words, reads it together with vers. 2. thus. Be silent (O inhabitants of the Isle) the negotiation of Zidon; many waters have replenished thee, &c. whereas ver. 3. is manifestly in Hebrew disjoined from ver. 2. beginning not with these words [great waters] but, And by great waters, &c. Sihor is the river Nilus, which by overflowing the Land of Egypt makes it so fruitfull, and therefore seed and fruits are attributed hereunto, because by the overslowing hereof they grow in abundance, the Land being fatned by the black slud by this river brought down upon it. It had the name Nilus, saith one, from foreign, novus limus, which it brought with it. But the Prophet here in amplifying the misery of Tyre, by saying, The corn of Egypt was her harvest or increase, means, that it was so, because brought from thence to Tyre to her great benefit: thus it had been, but now it should be so no more, for Tyre was the Mart of Nations. Vers. 4, 5. He insists upon this amplification Vers. 4, 5.from Zidon and Egypt further saying, Be ashamed, O Zidon, for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, &c. By the sea some understand Tyre, called the sea, because standing in the sea, and the strongest Island therein. Others taking the sea as spoken to by a Prosopopeia, and Tyre brought forth as it were thereby, and encreased to such riches and glory, because all the Tyrians wealth came in by the sea. We may take it either way, or rather both the sea, and Tyre the strength hereof brought in complaining of a desolation, whereas in times past here were many gallant young men and virgins brought forth, and brought up there, now it was not so, the place being laid waste. As at the report concerning Aegypt, &c. Calvin, So soon as the rumour comes to Aegypt they Calvin.shall sorrow] That is, saith he, as soon as they shall hear in Egypt, that Nebuchadnezzar hath won Tyre, they shall be terrified, as they that are likely next to be destroyed. Others understanding it in the same manner say, that Egypt shall sorrow, because their commodities, which they were wont to sell to their great profit to the Tyrians can now be no more uttered unto them. Some in both these regards, for the Egyptians might know out of Ezek. 29. 18. Ier. 47. 4. that when Tyre fell, destruction by the Caldees was not farre from them, as being promised for their hire. And this agreeth best with the words of the Prophet, which are verbatim, As this heard to Egypt, they shall mourn, as the hearing of Tyre. Wherefore Junius, whom our New Translations follows, Junius.taking it for an illustration by a comparison made betwixt the fear that should surprize the contiguous Nations about Tyre, and of those in the time of Moses, when they heard of the Egyptians drowning in the red sea, did much mistake it; neither will the words bear that exposition, because it is foreign, a rumour to Egypt, not of or concerning Egypt.
Passe ye over to Tarshish, &c. That is, Tyre being destroyed, which hath Vers. 6.been your Mart hitherto, seek ye now to get your living by failing to some other place, as a new Mart-Town, for here is no good for you to be done any more. The Vulgar Latine, Passe the seas, as it may well be interpreted, no particular place being meant; for if it were meant of a place called Tarsus, it will not thus agree with the words going before vers. 1. Howl ye ships of Tarsus; for what comfort in going to a place in a lamentable case? Besides here is no word signifying [to] but passe Tarshish. Howl ye inhabiters of the Island; Some render it Islands, but it is a singular, and may be referred to Tyre.
Is this your ancient City, &c. Of the antiquity of Tyre, see before; but Vers. 7.howsoever they gloried in this, now he saith, that they should go in a poor manner afarre off, after the manner of beggars or captives to Babylon, Hebr. it is [From afarre off into perigrination] or to a strange Countrey, the sense is all one; for if Tyre from whence were farre from Babylon to which they should go, then Babylon was far from Tyre.
He enquires by what counsel this is done, and sheweth, that it was the Lords to abase all humane glory, whereby we may see how supereminent in wealth Vers. 8, 9. Jer. 9. 23. Psal. 2.and worldly all the inhabitants of this mighty City were. That we may all learn not to glory in such things, but know that the Lord can soon stain all glory, and therefore in the midst of all pomp fear and be submisse to serve him.
Passe thy Land as a River (O daughter Tarshish) &c. or, Daughter of the sea. For being taken either way, it agrees well to Tyre, being called a daughter of the Vers. 10.sea, because standing in the sea, and as it were springing out of it, and daughter Tarshish, because Gen. 10. 4. there was a Tarshish coming of Japhet, who replenished the Isles, and haply he might inhabit here, and thus the ships of Tyre were before called the ships of Tarshish, vers. 1. Now in bidding her passe as a river, he shews, the going away of the Tyrians into Captivity out of their own Land, there being no means to stay them, as a floud cannot be staid, but flows on, till it be swallowed up of the sea; Or because he saith, Passe thy Land as a floud, he means, That as a floud riseth above the banks, and runs divers wayes, so they should be scattered. Vatablus renders it, Passe on to the daughter of Tarshish as v. 6. but in the Heb. it is plainly, Daughter Tarshish, as the party spoken to. But how can the Daughter of Tarshish flow to Tarshish, as Vers. 6? Answ. Very well, if by Tarshish we understand the sea, as well as a place so called, as one most eminent off-spring thereof. No girdle more, that is, whereas before the waters did gird it about, and were a defence unto it, now they are not, it being joyned by the conquerour to the firm Land, Some by Girdle understand strength, which in that City was great to resist the enemy. I think it best to join both together. But whereas some by Girdle understand the meanest commodity to be sold there, and so that being full of rich merchandize before, nothing was left, I think this to be far fetcht.
He hath given a commandment against the merchant City, &c. Here the destruction Vers. 11.of Tyre is further amplified, and he dwels so long upon it, because it might seem incredible to men, that so strong a place, and so flourishing should be destroyed, Hebr. for the merchant City is Canaan, and so it is rendred by Vatablus, and Vulgar Latine, whereupon some think that mention is made of Canaan, that by recounting how the inhabitants of that Land perished, they of Tyre might fear the same almighty power now set against them; so Jerom and Hieron.others, affirming also that Tyre stood in Canaan; so Josh. 19 29. it is reckoned in the lot of the Tribe of Ashur, and Matth. 15. the Canaanitish woman, who cried unto Christ for her daughter, is said to have come out of the parts of Tyre and Zidon, and by this name is it set forth the rather, because it was a City full of merchants, and the word Canaan signifieth a merchant. Wherefore it must be read according to the Hebrew, He hath given a command against Canaan, the sense yet being the same.
Thou shalt no more rejoice (O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon) &c. Vers. 12. Hieron.Here is according to Jerom another description of the same City Tyre: for although it now excelled Zidon farre in strength, beauty and riches, yet it was built by the Sidonians, and was a Colony of Sidon. But whereas he threatens Tyre, by saying, that she should no more rejoyce, he meaneth not never, for vers. 15. after seventy years there is a Promise made unto her, wherefore it is meant, no more a long time. And a virgin Tyre is here called, not in respect of purity or chastity, or truth formerly being there, but because she was never before subdued or brought under the lust of any; so Calvin, saying, that Calvin.the Tyrians goods kept, as it were, lockt up before a long time, were now subjected to the Conquerours will, as if Venice never subdued, were therefore called a virgin City. Passe into Chittim, that is, saith Jerom, into Graecia, and other western parts, as before upon ver. 1.
Behold the Land of the Caldeans, they were not till the Assyrians founded it, &c. Vers. 13.Vulgar Latine, There hath not been such a people, the Assyrians founded it; That is, saith Jerom, if ye would know by whom ye shall be brought to this destruction, Hieronym. Sasbont.the Caldeans shall do it, who are such a people for might and power; as that there was never any people like them, and they are most ancient, as having their beginning from Ashur, of whom see Gen. 10. Before ver. 12. he spake to the runawaies, now to such as remained in Tyre, They have captivated his strong ones, dig'd down the houses, &c. Our new Transl. They set up the towers thereof, and raised the Palaces thereof, and he brought it to ruine. Contrary to the former, and indeed it is a marvel, that Jerom should be moved by one word signifying either to raise up or to dig down, as foreign here used doth, to pervert the whole sentence, yea the whole verse, making it to speak of the Caldeans destroying of Tyre, and of their incomparable greatness, whenas nothing else is here set forth, but an example of the Assyrians overthrown by the Caldees, from amongst whom they came, as the more ancient, who when Ashur was a great Monarchy, had no name of a people, yet at length they overthrew and brought to ruine that Monarchy, and therefore it was not for the Kingdom of Tyre to contemn the Lords threatning of their ruine here, as if they were too mighty to be subdued, for a greater Kingdom by farre had been ruined by a people of no name or note, even the Assyrians the founders by the Caldees in times past under them, the Proverb being thus verified, Mater peperit filiam, filia devoravit matrem, that they might tremble and fear, as being much more liable to destruction by the same Caldees, if the Lord should bring them against Tyre, their strength being now doubled by the accession of Assyria to Babylon. Of this an hint only indeed is given here, but Ezek. 26. it is plainly shewed, That Nebuchadnezzar should destroy Tyre. Now that Ierom and the Expositors following him do pervert the sense, is plain, because here are no words signifying, There is not such a people, but it was not a people; that is, had no name, but went long under the name of Ashur, and was under Ashur; and whereas they reade it, They have captived the strong ones, Hebr. it is, They have raised up the towers thereof, &c. that is, saith Calvin, by bringing Calvin.them to a civil kinde of living, whereupon they built them Cities, who had been before a rude and wilde people living in Tents, but finally the Caldee made the Assyrian Kingdom to fall, as is shewed in the last words, which are verbatim according to the Hebrew, He put it to falling, Cal. He brought it to vastity.
Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, &c. That is, saith Jerom, according Vers. 15. Hieronym.to the time of Jerusalems desolation, over which Tyre insulted, As the dayes of one King, that is, of Nebuchadnezzar, under whose Kingdom Judea was held so long, but others, saith he, referre it indefinitely to the reign of any King, that liveth longest. Other Expositors generally agree about the seventy years, as being the time that the Babylonians reigned after this, wherein no eminent Musculus.place, such as Jerusalem and Tyre were, might be rebuilded for fear of rebellion and trouble. But Vatablus in expounding these words, As the dayes of one King Vatabl. Calvin.saith, it may be referred to David, who lived seventy years; Calvin, to one King, as to any other one man, whose age is said Psal. 90. to be seventy years, but it is said of one King, and not of one man, because Tyre had a King. I preferre that of Jerom, understanding by one King, one Kingdom of the Caldees lasting so long, and triumphing over Tyre, as over Jerusalem in the ruines all that time. For why David should be here meant, or man indefinitely, especially one well maintained, as a King, as Cornelius a Lapide hath it, I cannot see; but why the Caldee Kingdom should be meant, we may see good reason, because although Evilmerodach reigned after Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar after him, before the fulfilling of this, yet they were all but as one King, because of the same line, it being the manner of the Scripture thus to set forth any Monarch with his issue succeeding him in his Kingdom, till the last be cut off, as Dan. 2. 39. After thee shall stand up another Kingdom, where but one King is spoken of, as standing till another Kingdom, because he stood till then in his posterity; so likewise Junius, rendring it, Quasi anni unius, omitting the word Regis. Now Tyre is said to be forgotten all this time, because no City, and no resort unto it till this time expired. After that shall Tyre sing as an harlot] That is, saith Jerom, shall have joy for many Nations frequent Hieronym.her, as in times past, as many lovers frequent an harlot, being contemned, no not once thought upon all the time, that she lies squalidous in her sordes: for so lay Tyre those seventy years in his ruines. It is meant then that Tyre should be built again, and be a Mart again.
She is bidden to sing as an harlot, because when her lovers have forsaken Vers. 16.her, she seeks by sweetly singing to bring them back unto her again, so Tyre should seek after her rebuilding to draw other Nations to resort thither for traffick again, thus Lyra. Now a merchandizing City, saith Calvin, is compared Lyra. Calvin.to an harlot, not because it is simply evil to get gain by Merchandize, but because this trade of life is commonly accompanied with much deceit in words and shew of wares, whereby as the harlot by singing, merchants allure men to their great hurt to deal with them. Musculus saith, That as an harlot having the French-Pox, is forsaken of all her lovers, but being healed seeks Muscul.again by decking her body, painting face and singing, to allure men unto her, so Tyre. And the Prophet vers. 16. doth not bid her do thus, but in bidding, Take the harp, &c. he prophesieth, that she shall so do, her chastisement shall not work so with her, but that she shall Redire ad suum ingenium, by all kinde of fraud to seek gain and riches, as before in her prosperity in times past. Wherefore it is said Vers. 17.
She shall return to her merchandize, and fornicate, &c. The same word being Vers. 17.used to set forth merchandize, which signifieth whoredome; so Zuinglius; But the word foreign here used, is only put for whoring or receiving as an host, so as the merchants there did strangers to their own great gain. Some understand whoredom properly, because men coming thither being from their own wives, defiled their women; or spiritual whoredom with Idols, but so all Nations might likewise then have been taxed. But sith it is here intimated, That Tyre should be built again, and indeed it was, else how could Alexander afterwards have destroyed it? a Question ariseth upon comparing this with Ezek. 26. 14. Thou shalt be built no more; How that was verified? Some answer, It is meant not in the same place, but cannot prove it. Some, that it was built no more to come to that state and glory, because it was alwayes after under others, Persians, Hieronym. in Ezek. 26.Greeks and Romans, so Jerom, and Emman. Sa. Lastly, some not a long time after, for it was not re-built in all those seventy years, and so the word foreign is there taken, and 1 Sam. 7. 13. Joel 2. 19. and herein I rest, because Ezekiel saith not, No more for ever, but only, no more.
And her treasure and merchandize shall be holinesse to the Lord, &c. As Babylon, Vers. 18. Hieron.Ashur, Egypt and Damascus were before spoken of, Babylon as a figure of the everlasting destruction of the wicked, the rest being to be turned to the Christian faith in the time of the Gospel, being instanced in particularly, some for all other Nations, so is Tyre here, the last of them all. Here then is a Prophecie of Tyres being converted to the Christian faith, at what time her riches formerly gotten by deceit shall be well imployed in maintaining Gods Ministers, which shall preach amongst them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and giving to his poor members. It shall not be laid up] That is, saith Calvin, after their old covetous manner, when all their trafficking Calvin.was to enrich themselves, gathering goods together with an unsatiable desire by any means, but now being converted, they shall be liberal in distributin, them. Their merchandize shall be addicted to them that dwell before the Lord] That they may eat to fulnesse, and have a thick covering; That is, to his Ministers, who then were Priests and Levites, now Preachers of the Gospel, for they dwell as it were before the Lord, in that as his servants they wholly intend his work for the salvation of souls, which he hath purchased by the bloud of Christ. And of Christians liberality, which should be to them, see Gal. 6. 6. 1 Cor. 9. And this liberality must be, not to afford them a little food for them and theirs, but food to fulness, that is, in plentifull manner, and likewise cloathing enough, the two most necessary things for this Note. life being put for all other, which sheweth, that they who are truly converted, by liberality to the maintenance of Gods service, and to the relieving of his poor, get their riches sanctified, which are otherwise polluted, and therefore are not covetous horders and gatherers without end, as aiming at nothing but to be very rich in this world, as the thing wherein their felicity consisteth. For thick cloathing, Vulgar Latine hath, Vestientur ad vetustatem, because the word signifies as well old as thick; our New Translation durable, respecting rather the sense then the proper meaning of the word, and he that renders it old, understands the same, viz. cloathing that is not torn, till it be very old. How this was fulfilled under the Old Testament we know not, but only Ioseph. lib. 12. antiq. cap. 12. it is said, That the Tyrians were overcome by the Maccabees, Josephus.and the prey taken was dedicated to the Lord, and Simon is said to have ruled from Tyre to Egypt, 1 Mac. 11. 59. But under the New Testament, Psal. 45. 12. it is prophesied, That the daughter of Tyre should come with a present. And one saith, That Anno Domini 300. there was a most flourishing Church at Tyre, which continued six hundred years, then it was taken by Guil. Tyrius.the Saracens, and retaken by Christians, Venetians, and others, Gnare Mundus Patriarch of Ierusalem being Captain, and continued in the faith an hundred sixty five years, till that Anno 1289. it came again into the Saracens hands, or the Turks, who are masters of it to this day.