Isaiah 23:1
1 The burden [massa'] of Tyre [Tsor]. Howl [yalal], ye ships ['oniyah] of Tarshish [Tarshiysh];
for it is laid waste [shadad], so that there is
no house [bayith], no entering in [bow']: from the land ['erets] of
Chittim [Kittiy] it is revealed [galah] to them. KJV-Interlinear
1 The oracle concerning Tyre. Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or
harbor! From the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them. ESV
This is the fifth
prophecy in the second series of prophecies. This one now concerning Tyre, which will be
herein portrayed as the merchant prostitute of the world, and the condemnation
of the secular attitudes of the world’s population in general, having sought
after the many things, pleasures and possessions of the world, over that of the
Christian life.
Tyre is a
prosperous city trading center, located on the Mediterranean coast in the northern
portion of present day Israel, but known as Samaria in Isaiah’s day.
Tarshish, is a general
term referring to the shipping industry across the Mediterranean, from Cyprus
to Spain.
The word for
Cyprus, ‘Chittim or Kittiy,’ refers to all of the islands across the
Mediterranean Sea and beyond.
And so the total
destruction of Tyre, is made known to all peoples, to all trading partners, across
the Mediterranean and beyond. The destruction is such that there is no means of
trading, no harbor, no commercial caravans, no means with which to enter in or
engage in trade with Tyre.
And since Tyre
is the symbolized center of trade and cross roads, in that then known world, it
likewise becomes the example of the downfall of all economies of the world in
the end days of history.
Review our study
in Revelation, and you will recall one of the biggest judgments of the world will
be the destruction and absolute termination of all economics in the world,
leading to unemployment, poverty, starvation, crime, utter dependence on the
anti-christ government, and much, much worse.
It is known,
makes it clear that, all the world will be very well aware of the decline and
disasters that have befallen the world.
It would be rather obvious for all concerned.
