What does Isaiah 23:3 mean?
"And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations." - Isaiah 23:3

Isaiah 23:3 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations."
This verse is part of a prophecy by the prophet Isaiah concerning the downfall of the city of Tyre. In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is describing the wealth and prosperity of Tyre, a wealthy and influential ancient Phoenician city known for its maritime trade and commerce.
The verse begins with the phrase, "And by great waters," which can be interpreted as a reference to the sea, as Tyre was a coastal city surrounded by water. The "seed of Sihor" and the "harvest of the river" refer to the goods and merchandise that flowed into the city from the Nile River in Egypt and the Sihor River, which was also known as the River of Egypt. These rivers were major trade routes in ancient times, and Tyre benefited greatly from the trade that passed through them.
The verse goes on to say, "is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations," highlighting the fact that Tyre was not only a powerful and wealthy city in its own right, but it also served as a hub for international trade and commerce. Tyre was known for its markets and commercial activity, and it welcomed traders and merchants from many different nations.
In a broader sense, this verse is a reminder of the transient nature of worldly wealth and prosperity. While Tyre was once a thriving and prosperous city, it eventually fell into decline and was destroyed. The wealth and power of Tyre were not enough to protect it from the consequences of its sin and disobedience to God.
From a symbolic standpoint, the city of Tyre can be seen as a representation of worldly wealth and materialism. The verse serves as a cautionary reminder that wealth and prosperity are fleeting and can ultimately lead to destruction if not accompanied by righteousness and faith in God.
There are several themes present in this verse, including the consequences of sin and disobedience, the fleeting nature of worldly wealth, and the importance of putting one's trust in God rather than in material possessions.
The historical context of this verse is the period in which Isaiah lived, when the kingdom of Judah was threatened by powerful empires such as Assyria and Babylon. The prophecy concerning Tyre would have been a warning to the people of Judah about the consequences of placing their trust in material wealth and worldly alliances rather than in God.
In conclusion, Isaiah 23:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of worldly wealth and the importance of seeking spiritual riches rather than material possessions. It also highlights the consequences of sin and disobedience, as exemplified by the downfall of the once-great city of Tyre. Ultimately, this verse encourages us to place our trust in God rather than in the fleeting riches of this world.
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Isaiah 23:3 Artwork
Isaiah 23:3 - "And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations."
"And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations." - Isaiah 23:3
Isaiah 3:23 - "The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails."
"The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails." - Isaiah 3:23
Isaiah 23:14 - "Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste."
Isaiah 23:6 - "Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle."
Isaiah 40:23 - "That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity."
Genesis 23-3
Isaiah 42:23 - "Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?"
Isaiah 23:5 - "As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre."
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