King James Version

What Does Isaiah 23:15 Mean?

Isaiah 23:15 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: af...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. shall Tyre: Heb. it shall be unto Tyre as the song of an harlot”

Isaiah 23:15 · KJV

Context

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.

14

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.

15

And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. shall Tyre: Heb. it shall be unto Tyre as the song of an harlot

16

Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.

17

And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.

Read Isaiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that day shall Tyre be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king—The shiv'im shanah (seventy years) parallels Judah's exile (Jeremiah 25:11). The phrase 'according to the days of one king' (kimey melek echad) is enigmatic: either the typical reign of a long-lived monarch, or metaphorically 'one kingdom's era.' Seventy years suggests a lifetime—a generation that never knew Tyre's glory. After the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot—The verb shiyr (sing) takes a dark turn with the simile: as a zonah (prostitute/harlot) sings to attract clients.

Verses 16-17 elaborate the prostitute metaphor: Tyre, forgotten and aging, must return to her 'trade' (a wordplay: etan means both 'wages' and 'prostitute's hire'). This isn't prophecy of moral improvement but of pragmatic resumption of commerce after judgment's pause. The underlying critique: Phoenician trade was always spiritual prostitution—selling herself to any buyer, forming alliances based on profit not principle, worshiping wealth above God. After seventy years, she returns to the same sin. The partial restoration demonstrates that divine judgment, even when lifted, doesn't automatically produce repentance. Only the gospel transforms hearts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historically, Tyre did partially recover after Babylonian destruction and Persian-period subjugation. By Alexander's time (332 BC) she had regained enough prosperity to resist his siege. However, she never fully recovered her ancient dominance. The prophecy's main fulfillment may be typological: cycles of judgment, partial restoration, and final judgment pattern human history until Christ's return.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that even after judgment, Tyre returns to the same sins rather than repenting?
  2. How does the prostitute metaphor reveal the spiritual nature of commerce conducted without regard for God's justice?
  3. Why does temporary relief from judgment often fail to produce lasting change in individuals or nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָיָה֙1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּימֵ֖י2 of 17

“And it shall come to pass in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא3 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְנִשְׁכַּ֤חַת4 of 17

“shall be forgotten”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

לְצֹ֔ר5 of 17

“shall Tyre”

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

שִׁבְעִ֤ים6 of 17

“of seventy”

H7657

seventy

שָׁנָה֙7 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

כִּימֵ֖י8 of 17

“And it shall come to pass in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 17

“king”

H4428

a king

אֶחָ֑ד10 of 17

“of one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִקֵּ֞ץ11 of 17

“after the end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

שִׁבְעִ֤ים12 of 17

“of seventy”

H7657

seventy

שָׁנָה֙13 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

יִהְיֶ֣ה14 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְצֹ֔ר15 of 17

“shall Tyre”

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

כְּשִׁירַ֖ת16 of 17

“sing”

H7892

a song; abstractly, singing

הַזּוֹנָֽה׃17 of 17

“as an harlot”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

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 23:15 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 23:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 25:22Jeremiah 29:10Revelation 17:10Daniel 7:14Jeremiah 27:3-7Hosea 2:15

Places in This Verse

TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Isaiah 23 →

Test Your Knowledge

Isaiah 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterIsaiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Isaiah 23 with CommentaryAll Isaiah ChaptersComplete Isaiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes