King James Version

What Does Isaiah 23:9 Mean?

Isaiah 23:9 in the King James Version says “The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of th...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 23:9 · KJV

Context

7

Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn. afar: Heb. from afar off

8

Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?

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

Read Isaiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory—This verse crystallizes the theological center of Isaiah 23. The phrase ga'on kol-tsevi (pride of all beauty/glory) encompasses not only Tyre but all human glory. God's stated purpose (ya'atsah, purposed/counseled) involves lechallel (to profane, pollute, defile)—the same verb used for desecrating holy things. Human glory, however magnificent, is profaned in comparison to divine holiness.

To bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth (לְהָקֵל כָּל־נִכְבַּדֵּי־אָרֶץ)—The verb lehakel means to make light, trivial, or contemptible. The nobles of earth (nikbadey-arets), those 'heavy' with honor, are made 'light'—worthless. This divine reversal inverts human value systems: what earth honors, heaven condemns; what humans esteem, God despises. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29: God chooses foolish things to shame the wise, weak things to shame the strong, 'so that no flesh should glory in His presence.' Tyre's judgment illustrates God's cosmic program to humble all pride before His throne.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ancient Near East operated on honor-shame culture where social status determined worth. Phoenician merchants had achieved the ultimate goal: wealth bringing honor. God's judgment directly attacked this value system, demonstrating that earthly honor systems are meaningless before divine holiness. The cross ultimately accomplished this: the King of Glory crucified as a criminal.

Reflection Questions

  1. What forms of 'glory' and 'honor' does contemporary culture most prize—and how might God view them?
  2. How does the gospel deliberately 'stain' worldly glory by exalting a crucified carpenter as Lord of all?
  3. What does it mean practically to reject earthly honor systems in favor of God's upside-down kingdom values?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
יְהוָ֥ה1 of 11

“The LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת2 of 11

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

יְעָצָ֑הּ3 of 11

“hath purposed”

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

לְחַלֵּל֙4 of 11

“it to stain”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

גְּא֣וֹן5 of 11

“the pride”

H1347

the same as h1346

כָּל6 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבִ֔י7 of 11

“of all glory”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

לְהָקֵ֖ל8 of 11

“and to bring into contempt”

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

כָּל9 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נִכְבַּדֵּי10 of 11

“all the honourable”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

אָֽרֶץ׃11 of 11

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 23:9 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 23:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 13:11James 4:6Job 40:11-12Isaiah 2:11Daniel 4:37Acts 4:28

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