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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 23:16 "Take up your harp, stroll through the city, O forgotten harlot. Make sweet melody, sing many a song, so you will be remembered."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/23-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/23_Isa_23_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 23:16 - The Fall of Tyre" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Take up your harp, stroll through the city, O forgotten harlot. 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Make sweet melody and sing your songs so you will be remembered again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody; sing many songs, that you may be remembered.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Take up your harp, stroll through the city, O forgotten harlot. Make sweet melody, sing many a song, so you will be remembered.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Take a harp, go about the city, You forgotten harlot; Make sweet melody, sing many songs, That you may be remembered.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Take <i>your</i> harp, wander around the city, You forgotten prostitute; Pluck the strings skillfully, sing many songs, That you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Take your harp, walk about the city, O forgotten harlot; Pluck the strings skillfully, sing many songs, That you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Take <i>your</i> harp, walk about the city, O forgotten harlot; Pluck the strings skillfully, sing many songs, That you may be remembered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Take <i>your</i> harp, walk about the city, O forgotten harlot; Pluck the strings skillfully, sing many songs, That you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Take a harp, walk around the city, O forgotten prostitute; Play the strings skillfully, sing many songs, That you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Pick up your lyre, stroll through the city, you forgotten prostitute. Play skillfully, sing many a song so that you will be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Pick up your lyre, stroll through the city, prostitute forgotten by men. Play skillfully, sing many a song, and you will be thought of again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You're gone and forgotten, you evil woman! So strut through the town, singing and playing your favorite tune to be remembered again. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Take your lyre. Go around in the city, you forgotten prostitute. Make sweet music. Sing many songs so that you'll be remembered."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Take your harp, go round the town, you poor forgotten whore! Play and sing your songs again to bring men back once more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Take a harp; walk around the city, you forgotten whore! Make sweet melody; sing many songs, and perhaps you'll be remembered."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Take up your harp, stroll through the city, O forgotten harlot. Make sweet melody, sing many a song, so you will be remembered.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Take the harp, go through the city, forgotten prostitute! Play it well, play lots of songs, so you'll be noticed!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Take a harp, go around the city, O forgotten harlot, play well, "" Multiply song that you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Take a harp, go round the city, O forgotten harlot, play well, Multiply song that thou mayest be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about the city, O harlot having been forgotten; be cheerful, playing on the instrument; increase the song so that thou shalt be remembered.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten: sing well, sing many a song, that thou mayst be remembered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Take up a stringed instrument. Circulate through the city, you harlot who had been forgotten. Sing many canticles well, so that you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about the city, forgotten prostitute; Pluck the strings skillfully, sing many songs, that you may be remembered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about the city, you forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about the city, O you harlot that has been forgotten; play sweet melodies, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Take a harp and go around the city, whore that was forgotten! Play beautifully! Multiply singers so that you will be remembered!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Take a harp, Go about the city, Thou harlot long forgotten; Make sweet melody, Sing many songs, That thou mayest be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Take a harp, go about, O city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; play well on the harp, sing many <i>songs</i>, that thou mayest be remembered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/23-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=4763" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/23.htm">The Fall of Tyre</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years—the span of a king’s life. But at the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot: <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qə·ḥî (V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">“Take up</a> <a href="/hebrew/3658.htm" title="3658: ḵin·nō·wr (N-ms) -- A lyre. From a unused root meaning to twang; a harp.">your harp,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: sōb·bî (V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">stroll through</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: niš·kā·ḥāh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">O forgotten</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: zō·w·nāh (N-fs) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">harlot.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: hê·ṭî·ḇî (V-Hifil-Imp-fs) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">Make sweet</a> <a href="/hebrew/5059.htm" title="5059: nag·gên (V-Piel-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to thrum, i.e. Beat a tune with the fingers; expec. To play on a stringed instrument; hence, to make music.">melody,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: har·bî- (V-Hifil-Imp-fs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">sing many</a> <a href="/hebrew/7892.htm" title="7892: šîr (N-ms) -- A song, singing. Or feminine shiyrah; from shiyr; a song; abstractly, singing.">a song,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2142.htm" title="2142: tiz·zā·ḵê·rî (V-Nifal-Imperf-2fs) -- Remember. A primitive root; properly, to mark, i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; also to be male.">so you will be remembered.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>And at the end of seventy years, the LORD will restore Tyre. Then she will return to hire as a prostitute and sell herself to all the kingdoms on the face of the earth.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/26-13.htm">Ezekiel 26:13</a></span><br />So I will silence the sound of your songs, and the music of your lyres will no longer be heard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-22.htm">Revelation 18:22</a></span><br />And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-10.htm">Jeremiah 25:10</a></span><br />Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-25.htm">Ezekiel 27:25-27</a></span><br />The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise. And you were filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea. / Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea. / Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Nahum 3:4</a></span><br />because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-15.htm">Isaiah 47:15</a></span><br />This is what they are to you—those with whom you have labored and traded from youth—each one strays in his own direction; not one of them can save you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1-2</a></span><br />Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-11.htm">Isaiah 14:11</a></span><br />Your pomp has been brought down to Sheol, along with the music of your harps. Maggots are your bed and worms your blanket.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-12.htm">Ezekiel 28:12-19</a></span><br />“Son of man, take up a lament for the king of Tyre and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. / You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. / You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-3.htm">Revelation 18:3</a></span><br />All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-8.htm">Isaiah 24:8</a></span><br />The joyful tambourines have ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-7.htm">Jeremiah 51:7</a></span><br />Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-13.htm">Isaiah 32:13-14</a></span><br />and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers—even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry. / For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever—the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Revelation 14:8</a></span><br />Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/16-10.htm">Isaiah 16:10</a></span><br />Joy and gladness are removed from the orchard; no one sings or shouts in the vineyards. No one tramples the grapes in the winepresses; I have put an end to the cheering.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Take an harp, go about the city, you harlot that have been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/7-10.htm">Proverbs 7:10-12</a></b></br> And, behold, there met him a woman <i>with</i> the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/30-14.htm">Jeremiah 30:14</a></b></br> All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; <i>because</i> thy sins were increased.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/23-11.htm">City</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-11.htm">Harp</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-17.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-3.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-20.htm">Melody</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-20.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-2.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-11.htm">Music</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Play</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-2.htm">Pluck</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-10.htm">Remembered</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-17.htm">Round</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/psalms/139-15.htm">Skillfully</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-10.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/songs/1-10.htm">Strings</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-7.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/24-10.htm">City</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-21.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm">Harlot</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-8.htm">Harp</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-27.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm">Loose</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-26.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-3.htm">Melody</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-8.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-8.htm">Music</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm">Play</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-6.htm">Pluck</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm">Prostitute</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-7.htm">Remembered</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">Round</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-14.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/hosea/13-2.htm">Skillfully</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-16.htm">Songs</a> <a href="/amos/6-5.htm">Strings</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-24.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-2.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/23-1.htm">The miserable overthrow of Tyre</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm">Her restoration and unfaithfulness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Take up your harp</b><br>In ancient times, the harp was a common musical instrument used for both worship and entertainment. The use of the harp here symbolizes an attempt to regain favor and attention through music, which was a significant part of cultural and religious life in biblical times. The harp is often associated with joy and celebration, as seen in <a href="/psalms/33-2.htm">Psalm 33:2</a>, where it is used to praise God.<p><b>stroll through the city</b><br>The imagery of strolling through the city suggests a public display, indicating an effort to be seen and noticed. In the context of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city known for its trade and wealth, this action reflects the city's attempt to regain its former glory and influence. The city was a hub of commerce, and its streets would have been bustling with activity, making it an ideal place for such a display.<p><b>O forgotten harlot</b><br>The term "harlot" is used metaphorically to describe Tyre's unfaithfulness and idolatry, as seen in other prophetic writings like <a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2</a>. Tyre's alliances and trade with various nations are likened to the actions of a harlot, seeking profit and favor from many partners. The word "forgotten" indicates a loss of status and influence, as Tyre had been a dominant maritime power.<p><b>Make sweet melody</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the use of music to charm and attract attention. In the cultural context, music was a powerful tool for communication and persuasion. The sweetness of the melody suggests an appeal to the emotions, aiming to win back the favor of those who have turned away.<p><b>sing many a song</b><br>The repetition of songs implies persistence and effort in trying to be remembered. In biblical times, songs were used to tell stories, convey messages, and preserve history. This reflects Tyre's attempt to remind others of its past significance and to reestablish its place in the world.<p><b>so you will be remembered</b><br>The desire to be remembered highlights the fear of obscurity and insignificance. In the biblical narrative, remembrance is often associated with legacy and impact, as seen in the memorials set up by the Israelites (<a href="/joshua/4-7.htm">Joshua 4:7</a>). For Tyre, being remembered would mean a restoration of its former prestige and influence. This also connects to the broader theme of judgment and redemption found throughout the prophetic books, where nations are called to account for their actions and given opportunities for restoration.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/tyre.htm">Tyre</a></b><br>An ancient Phoenician city known for its wealth and trade. In <a href="/bsb/isaiah/23.htm">Isaiah 23</a>, Tyre is personified as a harlot due to its commercial and political alliances.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_forgotten_harlot.htm">The Forgotten Harlot</a></b><br>Represents Tyre, which is depicted as a once-prominent city that has fallen into obscurity and is attempting to regain its former status through its trade and influence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who delivers God's message of judgment and restoration. His prophecies often include symbolic language and vivid imagery.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_harp.htm">The Harp</a></b><br>A musical instrument symbolizing the attempt to regain attention and favor through charm and allure.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_city.htm">The City</a></b><br>Represents the broader society or world that Tyre seeks to influence and captivate once again.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fleeting_nature_of_worldly_success.htm">The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Success</a></b><br>Tyre's attempt to regain prominence highlights the temporary nature of worldly wealth and status. Believers are reminded to seek eternal treasures in heaven rather than earthly acclaim.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>The call to "sing many songs" can be seen as an opportunity for repentance and a return to God. It serves as a reminder that restoration is possible through genuine repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_influence.htm">The Power of Influence</a></b><br>Just as Tyre sought to influence through charm, Christians are called to be a positive influence in the world, using their gifts to glorify God rather than seeking personal gain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_forgetfulness.htm">The Danger of Forgetfulness</a></b><br>Being "forgotten" serves as a warning against spiritual complacency. Believers must remain vigilant in their faith and not allow themselves to drift away from God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_god's_righteous_decree.htm">What are sacred frequencies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_triumphal_entry_in_vol_23.htm">What is the significance of Journey to the Cross?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_elements_of_christ's_death_resurrection.htm">What are the key elements of Christ's death and resurrection?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_messianic_judaism's_belief.htm">What is the belief system of Messianic Judaism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Take an harp, go about the city . . .</span>--In a tone half of irony and half of pity, the prophet tells the "harlot that had been forgotten" to return to her old arts of song (the singing women of the East were commonly of this class), and to go about once more with song and lyre, recalling her old lovers (<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>her old allies) to the memory of their past love.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Take an harp</span>. Harlots in the East, and indeed in the West also in ancient times (Her., 'Epist.,' 1:14, 1. 25), were expected to be musicians. The harp and the guitar were their usual instruments. <span class="cmt_word">Forgotten harlot</span>. In addressing. Tyro as a "harlot," the prophet does not seem to mean more than that her aims were, or at any rate had been, selfish and worldly, such as sever between man and God. She had pursued wealth for the enjoyments that it brought her, not in order to make a good use of it. Hers had been the covetousness which is "idolatry" (<a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/23-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Take up</span><br /><span class="heb">קְחִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḥî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your harp,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִנּ֛וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(ḵin·nō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3658.htm">Strong's 3658: </a> </span><span class="str2">A harp</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stroll through</span><br /><span class="heb">סֹ֥בִּי</span> <span class="translit">(sōb·bî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the city,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O forgotten</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁכָּחָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(niš·kā·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">harlot;</span><br /><span class="heb">זוֹנָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(zō·w·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to commit idolatry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">make sweet</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵיטִ֤יבִי</span> <span class="translit">(hê·ṭî·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be good, well, glad, or pleasing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">melody,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַגֵּן֙</span> <span class="translit">(nag·gên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5059.htm">Strong's 5059: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch or play a stringed instrument</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sing many</span><br /><span class="heb">הַרְבִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(har·bî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a song,</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁ֔יר</span> <span class="translit">(šîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7892.htm">Strong's 7892: </a> </span><span class="str2">A song, singing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so you will be remembered.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּזָּכֵֽרִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(tiz·zā·ḵê·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2142.htm">Strong's 2142: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/23-16.htm">Isaiah 23:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/23-16.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 23:16 Take a harp (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/23-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 23:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 23:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 23:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 23:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>