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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 23:4 Be ashamed, O Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: "I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/23-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/23_Isa_23_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 23:4 - The Fall of Tyre" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Be ashamed, O Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: I have not been in labor or given birth. 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I have not raised young men or brought up young women.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, <i>even</i> the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, <i>nor</i> bring up virgins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea has spoken, The strength of the sea, saying, “I do not labor, nor bring forth children; Neither do I rear young men, <i>Nor</i> bring up virgins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Sidon, For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have neither been in labor nor given birth, I have neither brought up young men <i>nor</i> raised virgins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, &#8220I have neither travailed nor given birth, I have neither brought up young men nor reared virgins.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have neither travailed nor given birth, I have neither brought up young men <i>nor</i> reared virgins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea speaks, the strong defense of the sea, saying, “I have neither travailed nor given birth; I have neither brought up choice men <i>nor</i> reared virgins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon [mother-city of Tyre, now like a widow bereaved of her children]; For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have neither labored nor given birth [to children]; I have neither brought up young men nor reared virgins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken:&#8221 I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Be thou ashamed, O Sidon; for the sea hath spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Sidon, you are a mighty fortress built along the sea. But you will be disgraced like a married woman who never had children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, the strong hold of the sea; saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Sidon, because the stronghold by the sea has spoken, "I've never been in labor or given birth. I've raised no sons. I've brought up no daughters."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />City of Sidon, you are disgraced! The sea and the great ocean depths disown you and say, "I never had any children. I never raised sons or daughters." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Sidon, because the sea has spoken, the fortress of the sea: I have neither been in labor nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: ?I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea says this, O fortress of the sea: "I have not gone into labor or given birth; I have not raised young men or brought up young women." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, "I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish young men, nor bring up virgins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have not travailed, nor given birth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon; for the sea spoke, "" The strength of the sea, saying, “I have not been pained, nor have I brought forth, "" Nor have I nourished young men, [nor] brought up virgins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Be ashamed, O Zidon; for the sea spake, The strength of the sea, saying: 'I have not been pained, nor have I brought forth, Nor have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea said, the strength of the sea, saying, I was not pained, I brought not forth, and I caused not youths to grow, and I raised not up virgins.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Be thou ashamed, O Sidon: for the sea speaketh, even the strength of the sea, saying: I have not been in labour, nor have I brought forth, nor have I nourished up young men, nor brought up virgins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon! For the sea speaks, the strength of the sea, saying: “I have not been in labor, and I have not given birth, and I have not raised young men, nor have I promoted the development of virgins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Sidon, fortress on the sea, for the sea has spoken, “I have not been in labor, nor given birth, nor raised young men, nor reared young women.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the fortress of the sea, saying: “I have neither labored nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Zidon; for the sea has spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I have neither been in travail nor have I given birth to children, neither have I reared young men nor brought up virgins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Be ashamed, Tsidon, because the sea and the strength of the sea said: “I have not been in labor and I have not raised neither given birth to boys, nor have I raised girls!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Be thou ashamed, O Zidon; for the sea hath spoken, The stronghold of the sea, saying: 'I have not travailed, nor brought forth, Neither have I reared young men, nor brought up virgins.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Be ashamed, O Sidon: the sea has said, yea, the strength of the sea has said, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, nor have I brought up young men, nor reared virgins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/23-4.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=4641" 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">3</span>On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/954.htm" title="954: bō·wō·šî (V-Qal-Imp-fs) -- To be ashamed. A primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. By implication to be ashamed; also to be disappointed or delayed.">Be ashamed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6721.htm" title="6721: ṣî·ḏō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- Or Tsiydon; from tsuwd in the sense of catching fish; fishery; Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a place in Palestine.">O Sidon,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4581.htm" title="4581: mā·‘ō·wz (N-msc) -- (also mauwz); or mahoz (also ma, uz; from azaz; a fortified place; figuratively, a defence.">the stronghold</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: yām (N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">of the sea,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: hay·yām (Art:: N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">the sea</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">has spoken:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“I have not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2342.htm" title="2342: ḥal·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- Or chiyl; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl, i.e. to dance, to writhe in pain or fear; figuratively, to wait, to pervert.">been in labor</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yā·laḏ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">or given birth.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I have not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1431.htm" title="1431: ḡid·dal·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To grow up, become great. A primitive root; properly, to twist, i.e. To be large.">raised</a> <a href="/hebrew/970.htm" title="970: ba·ḥū·rîm (N-mp) -- A young man. Or bachur; participle passive of bachar; properly, selected, i.e. A youth.">young men</a> <a href="/hebrew/7311.htm" title="7311: rō·w·mam·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To be high or exalted, rise. A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise.">or brought up</a> <a href="/hebrew/1330.htm" title="1330: ḇə·ṯū·lō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin; sometimes a bride; also a city or state.">young women.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>When the report reaches Egypt, they will writhe in agony over the news of Tyre.…<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/26-15.htm">Ezekiel 26:15-18</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: ‘Will not the coastlands quake at the sound of your downfall, when the wounded groan at the slaughter in your midst? / All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you. / Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-26.htm">Ezekiel 27:26-36</a></span><br />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. / The countryside will shake when your sailors cry out. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/47-4.htm">Jeremiah 47:4</a></span><br />For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/9-3.htm">Zechariah 9:3-4</a></span><br />Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. / Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Revelation 18:17-19</a></span><br />For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance / and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. / Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-4.htm">Joel 3:4-8</a></span><br />Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads. / For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples. / You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-9.htm">Amos 1:9-10</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood. / So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre to consume its citadels.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Nahum 3:4-7</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. / “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show your nakedness to the nations and your shame to the kingdoms. / I will pelt you with filth and treat you with contempt; I will make a spectacle of you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Matthew 11:21-22</a></span><br />“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Luke 10:13-14</a></span><br />Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-2.htm">Ezekiel 28:2-8</a></span><br />“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29-31</a></span><br />Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-22.htm">Jeremiah 25:22</a></span><br />all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/48-4.htm">Psalm 48:4-7</a></span><br />For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. / They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror. / Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-12.htm">Isaiah 2:12-16</a></span><br />For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled— / against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan, / against all the tall mountains, against all the high hills, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Be you ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea has spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.</p><p class="hdg">I travail</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/47-3.htm">Jeremiah 47:3,4</a></b></br> At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong <i>horses</i>, at the rushing of his chariots, <i>and at</i> the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to <i>their</i> children for feebleness of hands; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/26-3.htm">Ezekiel 26:3-6</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I <i>am</i> against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/9-11.htm">Hosea 9:11-14</a></b></br> <i>As for</i> Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/20-5.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-17.htm">Children</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-21.htm">Nourish</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Nourished</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-2.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-2.htm">Sidon</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-14.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-10.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-10.htm">Stronghold</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-3.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-19.htm">Travailed</a> <a href="/songs/6-8.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-4.htm">Young</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-2.htm">Zidon</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/24-23.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-18.htm">Children</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-20.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-14.htm">Nourish</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-21.htm">Nourished</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-11.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-12.htm">Sidon</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-6.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-10.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-14.htm">Stronghold</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-17.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Travailed</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-4.htm">Virgins</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-10.htm">Young</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-12.htm">Zidon</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>Be ashamed, O Sidon</b><br>Sidon was a prominent Phoenician city, known for its wealth and maritime prowess. The call for Sidon to be ashamed reflects its impending downfall and loss of prestige. Historically, Sidon was a center of trade and culture, often in competition with its sister city, Tyre. The shame is tied to the judgment pronounced by God, highlighting the city's reliance on its own strength rather than on God. This theme of divine judgment against prideful nations is echoed throughout the prophetic books.<p><b>the stronghold of the sea</b><br>Sidon, along with Tyre, was renowned for its fortified harbors and naval strength. The phrase underscores the city's strategic importance and its role as a maritime power. The sea was both a source of wealth and a symbol of chaos in ancient Near Eastern thought. Sidon's reliance on its maritime capabilities is contrasted with its vulnerability to divine judgment. This imagery is reminiscent of other biblical passages where the sea represents both blessing and judgment (e.g., <a href="/psalms/107-23.htm">Psalm 107:23-32</a>).<p><b>for the sea has spoken:</b><br>The sea, personified here, serves as a witness to Sidon's fate. In biblical literature, the sea often symbolizes nations and peoples (e.g., <a href="/daniel/7-2.htm">Daniel 7:2-3</a>). The sea's "speech" indicates a divine decree, emphasizing that the natural order itself acknowledges God's sovereignty. This personification is a literary device used to convey the inevitability of God's judgment.<p><b>“I have not been in labor or given birth.</b><br>This metaphor suggests barrenness and unproductiveness. In ancient cultures, fertility was a sign of blessing and prosperity. The absence of labor and birth signifies a cessation of growth and future prospects for Sidon. This imagery is used elsewhere in Scripture to denote judgment and desolation (e.g., <a href="/hosea/9-11.htm">Hosea 9:11-14</a>). It contrasts with the biblical theme of God bringing forth life and new beginnings.<p><b>I have not raised young men or brought up young women.”</b><br>The lack of young men and women indicates a future without continuity or legacy. In the ancient world, the youth represented the strength and future of a community. This phrase highlights the totality of Sidon's judgment, affecting all aspects of society. The absence of a new generation underscores the city's complete downfall. This theme of generational loss is seen in other prophetic judgments, such as in <a href="/jeremiah/11-22.htm">Jeremiah 11:22</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/sidon.htm">Sidon</a></b><br>An ancient Phoenician city, known for its wealth and maritime prowess. It was a significant center of trade and culture in the ancient Near East.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sea.htm">The Sea</a></b><br>Represents the maritime power and trade routes that were central to the economy and influence of cities like Sidon and Tyre.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Israel and surrounding nations, including prophecies of judgment and redemption.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/phoenicia.htm">Phoenicia</a></b><br>The region where Sidon and Tyre were located, known for its seafaring and trading capabilities.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a></b><br>The event of divine retribution that Isaiah prophesies against Sidon, symbolizing the downfall of pride and self-reliance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/pride_leads_to_downfall.htm">Pride Leads to Downfall</a></b><br>Sidon's pride in its maritime strength and economic power led to its judgment. We must guard against pride in our own lives, recognizing that all we have is from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/false_security_in_wealth.htm">False Security in Wealth</a></b><br>Sidon's reliance on its trade and wealth is a cautionary tale about placing our security in material possessions rather than in God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>The prophecy against Sidon reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations and their destinies. We should trust in His ultimate plan and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_self-reliance.htm">The Futility of Self-Reliance</a></b><br>The imagery of the sea claiming it has not labored or given birth underscores the futility of self-reliance. True fruitfulness comes from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_humility.htm">Repentance and Humility</a></b><br>The call to be ashamed is a call to repentance. We are encouraged to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our need for His grace and guidance.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Be thou ashamed, O Zidon . . .</span>--Zidon is addressed as the mother-city of Tyre. The "strength" (or <span class= "ital">fortress</span>) of the sea is the rock-island on which the new Tyre was built. She sits as a widow bereaved of her children, with no power to renew the population which once crowded her streets. (Comp. <a href="/lamentations/1-1.htm" title="How does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!">Lamentations 1:1</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Be thou ashamed, O Zidon</span>. Zidon, the most ancient and venerable of the Phoenician cities (<a href="/genesis/10-15.htm">Genesis 10:15</a>; <a href="/joshua/11-8.htm">Joshua 11:8</a>; <a href="/joshua/19-28.htm">Joshua 19:28</a>; <a href="/judges/18-7.htm">Judges 18:7</a>; Justin, 18:3, etc.), is called upon to feel shame because Tyre is captured. The ruin of the metropolitan city would be felt as a disgrace by all the lesser towns, and by Zidon especially. <span class="cmt_word">The sea... even the strength of the sea</span>; rather, <span class="accented">the stronghold of the sea</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> Tyre herself. Tyre declares that she is childless, has neither son nor daughter, is as if she had never travailed nor brought forth children. <span class="cmt_word">I travail not</span>, etc.; rather, <span class="accented">I have not travailed</span>, <span class="accented">nor brought forth</span>, <span class="accented">nor nourished</span> up, etc. My children being dead or taken from me, it is as if I had never borne them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/23-4.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">Be ashamed,</span><br /><span class="heb">בּ֣וֹשִׁי</span> <span class="translit">(bō·wō·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Sidon,</span><br /><span class="heb">צִיד֔וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(ṣî·ḏō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6721.htm">Strong's 6721: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sidon -- a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast, also a son of Canaan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the stronghold</span><br /><span class="heb">מָע֥וֹז</span> <span class="translit">(mā·‘ō·wz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4581.htm">Strong's 4581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A place or means of safety, protection</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the sea,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sea</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has spoken:</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I have not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">been in labor</span><br /><span class="heb">חַ֣לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(ḥal·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2342.htm">Strong's 2342: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or given birth.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָלַ֗דְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·laḏ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">raised</span><br /><span class="heb">גִדַּ֛לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(ḡid·dal·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1431.htm">Strong's 1431: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grow up, become great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">young men</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחוּרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥū·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Selected, a youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or brought up</span><br /><span class="heb">רוֹמַ֥מְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(rō·w·mam·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7311.htm">Strong's 7311: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be high actively, to rise, raise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">young women.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְתוּלֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ṯū·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> </span><span class="str2">A virgin, sometimes, a bride</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/23-4.htm">Isaiah 23:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/23-4.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 23:4 Be ashamed Sidon (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/23-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 23:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 23:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/23-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 23:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 23:5" /></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>