King James Version

What Does Isaiah 23:11 Mean?

Isaiah 23:11 in the King James Version says “He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant ci...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof. against: or, concerning a merchantman the merchant city: Heb. Canaan strong: or, strengths”

Isaiah 23:11 · KJV

Context

9

The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. to stain: Heb. to pollute

10

Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength. strength: Heb. girdle

11

He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof. against: or, concerning a merchantman the merchant city: Heb. Canaan strong: or, strengths

12

And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.

13

Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.

Read Isaiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms—The pronoun 'He' refers to Yahweh, whose hand (yad) extended over the sea (yam) that gave Phoenicia her power. The verb hirgiz (shook/made tremble) appears in earthquake contexts—God's touch destabilizes entire political orders. The LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof (צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶל־כְּנַעַן לַשְׁמִד מָעֻזֶּיהָ)—The term Kena'an (Canaan/merchant) puns on Phoenicia's identity as archetypal traders. The ma'uzzim (strongholds/fortresses) includes both military defenses and commercial infrastructure.

This verse emphasizes divine agency in geopolitical events. Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander were God's instruments, executing His tsivvah (command/decree). The prophet refuses to view Tyre's fall as merely political or military happenstance. Behind Babylonian siege engines and Macedonian tactics stood the sovereign Lord orchestrating judgment. This theological interpretation of history challenges naturalistic views that explain events purely through human causes. Biblical faith confesses: wars, economic collapses, and political upheavals occur within God's providential government, often as His judgment on pride and injustice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre's island fortress, with double walls 150 feet high and naval supremacy, seemed impregnable. Nebuchadnezzar's 13-year siege (585-572 BC) destroyed mainland Tyre but couldn't take the island. Alexander's conquest (332 BC) required building a half-mile causeway from mainland debris, turning the island into a peninsula—literally reshaping geography to execute divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God's sovereignty over historical events change our understanding of current geopolitical crises?
  2. What is the relationship between human agency (armies, leaders) and divine purpose in historical events?
  3. How should believers respond to economic or political collapse if we believe God orchestrates even judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
יָדוֹ֙1 of 12

“his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נָטָ֣ה2 of 12

“He stretched out”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

עַל3 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַיָּ֔ם4 of 12

“over the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הִרְגִּ֖יז5 of 12

“he shook”

H7264

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

מַמְלָכ֑וֹת6 of 12

“the kingdoms”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

יְהוָה֙7 of 12

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צִוָּ֣ה8 of 12

“hath given a commandment”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶל9 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כְּנַ֔עַן10 of 12

“against the merchant”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

לַשְׁמִ֖ד11 of 12

“city to destroy”

H8045

to desolate

מָעֻזְנֶֽיהָ׃12 of 12

“holds”

H4581

a fortified place; figuratively, a defense

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 23:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 23:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 9:3-4Exodus 14:21Isaiah 23:3Hosea 12:7-8Isaiah 2:19Ezekiel 26:10

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
View all places in Isaiah 23 →

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