Isaiah 23:2 - Be still, you inhabitants of the coast, you whom the merchants of Sidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.

Generated Verse: Isaiah 23:2

What does "Isaiah 23:2" mean?


This verse from Isaiah 23:2 is part of a larger prophecy against Tyre, a major Phoenician port city known for its wealth and trade. To understand the verse, let's break it down:

"Be still, you inhabitants of the coast..." This is a call to silence and mourning for the people living along the coastal region. "Be still" can also imply a sense of shock and paralysis in the face of impending disaster. The prophecy is about to unfold, and these people will be affected.

"...you whom the merchants of Sidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished." This part explains the reason for the coastal inhabitants' prosperity. Sidon was another prominent Phoenician city, also known for its merchants and maritime trade. These merchants from Sidon traveled across the sea, bringing goods and wealth to the coastal regions, thus "replenishing" or enriching them. In this specific context, the implication is that the merchants of Sidon contributed to the prosperity and livelihood of the inhabitants of the coast.

In essence, the verse suggests that the coastal regions relied heavily on trade and commerce, particularly that conducted by the merchants of Sidon. The impending downfall of Tyre, as prophesied in Isaiah 23, would disrupt this trade and bring economic hardship to these coastal inhabitants. The verse is therefore a warning and a description of their vulnerability due to their dependence on maritime trade.

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