Isaiah — Chapter 23
Synopsis Capitis
Synopsis: The burden of Tyre — the great Phoenician commercial city. Lapide reads Tyre as a type of worldly commerce and wealth in general, and more specifically as Rome or any great city whose prosperity is built on trade rather than justice. The oracle of Tyre's 70-year desolation (v.15) and restoration (v.17-18) is given a surprising eschatological reading: after her punishment, Tyre's merchandise shall be 'holy to the Lord' (v.18) — a foreshadowing of the commercial world's conversion and consecration to God.
Verse 1
The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of the sea, for the house is destroyed, from whence they were wont to come. Tyre, the great maritime trading empire, is devastated. The ships of Tarshish (oceanic merchantmen) lament because their great home-port is destroyed. Lapide notes: Tyre was besieged 13 years by Nabuchodonosor (Ezech.29:18 confirms this), then ultimately destroyed and rebuilt by Alexander the Great in a famous engineering feat.
Verse 15
And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, like the days of one king. After 70 years (mirroring Judah's captivity), Tyre will be restored to her trade — described in the image of a harlot returning to her clients (vv.15-17). The commerce of restored Tyre will ultimately serve God (v.18): 'her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, for eating and drinking sufficiency.'
Verse 18
Et erit negotiatio ejus et merces ejus sancta Domino
Her merchandise and her hire shall be consecrated to the Lord — after Tyre's punishment and restoration, even commercial activity is sanctified when directed to God's service. Lapide: this foreshadows the conversion of wealthy Gentile cities whose commerce, once restored from judgment, is directed to support the Church. Applied to merchants who tithe their profits for the poor, for churches, and for the missions: their commerce becomes holy to the Lord.