CHAP. XXIII. || waste, so that there is no house, no entering A prediction of the ruin of Tyre, and the extensive consterna- in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed tion occasioned by it, 1-14: of the restoration of Tyre's prosperity, and the conversion of the Tyrians, 15-18.
HE a burden of Tyre. b Howl,
to them.
2 Be* still, ye inhabitants of the isle;
1 ships of Tarshish; for it is laid thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that
a. Jer. 25:15,22. 47:4. Ez. 26: | Chr. 9:21. Ps. 48:7. Ez. 27: pass over the sea, have replenished.
27: 28: Joel 3:4-8. Am. 1:9, 10. Zech. 9:2.
b 15:2,8. Rev. 18:17-19
с 2:16. 60:9. 1 Kings 22:48. 2
lees
terrors of "the day of wrath, and revelation of righteousness, faithfulness, and goodness; and the righteous 3 judgment judgment of God." And yet the invasion of a fertile country, when the choicest ly to the remnant of true Christians in the
valleys are full of hostile armies, and the gates of populous cities beset with merciless besiegers, must be inexpressibly distressing to the inhabitants. Often the approach of approach of danger discovers that weakness which before was unnoticed; yea, and detects that hypocrisy, which had not been suspected: and then the further and the more carefully refully men examine, the more they discover their eir exposed and perilous situation.
But too generally they look only to externals, and rest in a superficial amendment; without duly respecting the Creator of the world, and the Head of the church, who "fashioned" both "long ago," for his own glory, and the good of his people: nor can the most pious rulers or teachers remove the infidelity, impiety, or hypocrisy of the people; except as the Lord works by them.It is no new thing, even in Israel, for men not to "know the signs of the times:" and when the Lord calls to repentance, fasting, and prayer; nay, when kings, as well as ministers of religion, obey the call, and warn others to do so; numbers continue to indulge their lusts, and add to their sins, and increase the fierce wrath of God against them; as if "let us eat, and drink, for to-morrow we die," were indeed a sentiment worthy of a rational creature!
And, whether this infidelity work by presumption or desperation, it produces the same contempt and defiance of God; and is a lamentable token, that a man is given up to judicial hardness of heart, and will perish in his impenitency.
V. 15-25.
nency
will study to be fathers to the people, especialland. When extensive authority is lodged in such hands, it will be used for the benefit of mankind: and rulers of this character are indeed a credit to their families, and will promote their interests in subserviency to the public good: but all dependence placed on the ungodly, will soon be thrown down with them into perdition.
Indeed no expectations can properly be formed of advantage, even from pious men, except as the instruments of God for our good. good. ( Notes , Ps . 146:3-5.)-But the Father has lodged all authority in heaven and earth in the hands of his beloved Son, who for our sakes became also his "righteous Ser vant." To him he has intrusted the infinite concerns of his own glory and the honor of his law, to all eternity: and if we submit to his authority, we may confidently hang all our hopes and interests, and those of our families even to remote posterity, upon him; and in every thing rely on his wisdom, power, truth, and love.
Such are great concerns to us ; but they are perfectly safe in his hands. He has opened our way of access into the presence of our reconciled Father; he will set before us an open door, which no man can shut, both whilst we live, and when we die; and bring both soul and body to his eternal glory. But they, who "neglect so great salvation," will find, that when "he shutteth, none can open:” and his hands will shut them out of heaven, and shut them up in hell for ever.
NOTES.
CHAP. XXIII. V. 1. (Notes, Jer. 47: Ez. 26: 27: 28: Joel 3:3-8. Am . 1:9,10.) It is generally agreed, that this prophecy foretels the destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. The ships and mariners, by whom the commerce of Asia, Africa, and Europe in general, or of Carthage and Spain in particular, with Tyre was carried on, are called on to mourn and howl at her ruin.-'As Tyre was one of the 'most famous marts in the world in those 'times; so the destruction of it must be a great loss to all merchant-adventurers. Every 'house or warehouse in Tyre is shut up and all 'trade ceased. Lowth .
“The Tyrians, when 'they saw no other means of escaping, fled in their ships, and took refuge in Carthage, and in the Islands of the Ionian and Egean sea; 'from whence the news would soon spread, and 'reach Tarshish.' Bp . Lowth and Jerom as quoted by him . Thus the ruin of Tyre was revealed to them, i. e. the inhabitants of Tarshish, from the Isles of Chittim, or the countries bordering on the Mediterranean. ( Marg . Ref . e.)
The impiety and profligacy of the lower orders in society is often a vain and absurd imitation of their superiors. Too often those, who ought not to find admission into the visible church, (having "nothing there,") are at the head of her affairs: and though no human wisdom and piety can uniformly prevent this; yet generally the ostentation, ambition, and avarice of such men, are an indelible scandal to those who prefer them, and to all concerned in their advancement. But what a vanity is all earthly grandeur, which death will so soon terminate!
And what will it avail, whether we be laid in a magnificent monument, or covered with a sod! Surely the fopperies of death are the vainest of all vanities: yet those who most value them, are often deprived of them. No stability can ensure the continuance of prosperity. When the Lord is displeased, he soon drives men with violence from their places, and hurries them from one vexation, or place of banishment, to another, till they die in disgrace and misery. But it is happy, for nations, when the removal of wicked men opens the way for the true servants of God into authority.
They will act as his stewards, and as the deputies of the Son of David: and in the insignia of their dignities, they will read their duties, and thence learn || heard in this merchant-city. There were two
V. 2. Silence is a mark of grief and consternation. And that entire failure of commerce, which a close and long continued siege would produce, effectually silenced the noise of the busy multitudes, which before was
3 And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
4 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 up young men, nor bring up virgins.
15 Asm at the report concerning Egypt, " so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
6 Pass ye over to Tarshish; Phowl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
7 Is this your joyous city , whose an
distinct cities, called old and new Tyre, the former a sea-port on the continent, the latter on an island at a small distance, and dependent upon the other. "Be silent, O ye inhabitants of the sea-coast." Bp . Lowth .
The Zidonians built Tyre, which is therefore called "the daughter of Zidon;" (12) and it was replenished with all its riches by the trade, which it originally derived from the mother-city: but it soon acquired a high pre-eminence above it. -Nebuchadnezzar took old Tyre after a siege of thirteen years: but the inhabitants had previously removed their most valuable effects, either to new Tyre on the Island, or to places beyond sea. ( Note , Ez . 29:17-20.) After a time new Tyre became a very flourishing city; but it was besieged and taken by Alexander the Great. ( Notes , Ez . 27:26-36.
Zech . 9:1–4.) V. 3. Sihor means the river Nile. ( Marg . Ref . h.) 'It had this name from the blackness 'of its waters charged with the mud, which it 'brings down from Ethiopia, when it overflows. 'Et viridem Egyptum nigra fæcundat arena . ' (The black sand fructifies verdant Egypt.) Bp . Lowth . )שהר, to become black.) The Tyrians traded largely with the Egyptians for the corn, which their lands, watered by the Nile, yield ed in great abundance: and thus, the harvest of the river, springing from the seed sown when its great waters subsided, yielded an immense revenue to Tyre.
That river also opened a communication to the Tyrians, with the interior parts of Egypt; and the rich commodities there purchased tended greatly to enrich that merchant-city.
V. 4. 'The Zidonians, when their city was 'taken by the king of Ascalon, betook them'selves to their ships, and landed, and built Tyre. Justin , quoted by Bp . Lowth. (Note, Josh. 19:24-31.) Zidon therefore gloried in being the founder of Tyre, that "strength of the sea," and, as it were, sole proprietor of it: but she might now be ashamed; for her daughter complained that she was depopulated, and, instead of sending colonies to other cities, she had now no children brought forth, or growing up, to replenish herself. New Tyre, indeed, continued for many ages a flourishing city: but from the time that Alexandria in Egypt was built, her trade began to decrease, and at length Tyre was utterly desolated: and there are, at this day, no remains of that renowned city, except a few huts for fishermen.-Let us not forget that these are standing miracles to
demonstrate the divine original of the sacred scriptures. ( Notes , Ez . 26:14,21.)
V. 5. As the nations were alarmed at the desolations of Egypt, by the power of God, in the days of Moses; ( Note , Ex . 15:14-16.) so the report of the ruin of Tyre would fill them with consternation. Or, "As soon as the re'port of Tyre shall come to," or "be heard in, Egypt, they shall be in great pain for it ," viz. 'because they exported their corn to Tyre and 'made a gainful trade of it. (3) And this sense 'the Septuagint follows.' Lowth .
V. 6, 7. The Tyrians gloried in the great antiquity of their city: and indeed it seems to have been a fortified city in the time of Joshua. ( Josh . 19:29. Note , 4.) Through its extraordinary wealth, it was replete with every thing conducive to festive indulgence; and the inhabitants were very jovial and luxurious. ( Notes , 22:2,3,8-14.) But now they would leave home with howlings and anguish of spirit; and numbers of them would be forced to seek a habitation in distant countries, either as captives or refugees. The Septuagint, instead of "Tarshish," read Carthage , which was a colony from Tyre. - "The prophet speaks of Tyre, as of a tender and delicate woman, 'not used to hardships, who yet should be forc'ed to travel on foot tedious journeys into for'eign countries, being driven from her own 'habitation.' Lowth . ( Note , 47:1-3.)
V. 8, 9. The Tyrians boasted of being able to dispose of crowns and kingdoms as they pleased; and therefore the Lord had counselled to tarnish the pride of all human glory, by ruining that renowned and haughty city, whose "merchants were princes, whose traffickers were the honorable of the earth." ( Notes , 2:10 -18.) The question proposed, as if by some observer who was filled with amazement at the surprising change, and the answer of the prophet to the question, have a peculiar energy and animation: and the attentive reader seems almost to witness, what is thus brought immediately under his notice.
V. 10. The inhabitants of Tyre, when the city was likely to be closely pressed by the Chaldeans, are counselled silently and speedily to leave the country, which had no longer any strength or defence; as a river swiftly, yet almost imperceptibly, glides through a land. Tyre might be called "the daughter of Tarshish;" because her grandeur was greatly the effect of her trade with that city; and be 11 Hed stretched oui his hand over the || day, that a Tyre shall be forgotten seventy sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD years, according to the days of one king: hath given a commandment against + the merchant- city to destroy the strong-holds thereof.
12 And he said, 'Thou shalt no more rejoice, Othou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; k 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; he brought it to ruin.
and
14 P Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for your strength is laid waste.
15 And it shall come to pass in that
d 2:19. 14:16,17. Ex. 15:8-10.1 Ps. 46:6. Ez. 26:10,15-19. 27:34,35. 31:16. Hag. 2:7.
e 10:6. Ps. 71:3. Jer. 47:7. Nah. 1:14.
* Or, concerning a merchantman. 3. Hos. 12:7,8.
↑ Heb. Canaan. Gen. 9:25. 10: 15-19. Zech. 14:21.
11:17. John 2:16.
Mark
Or, strengths. Zech. 9:3,4. 17. Ez. 26:13,14. Rev. 18:
22.
g 37:22. 47:1,5. Jer. 14:17. 46: 11. Lam. 1:15.
h 2.
Gen. 10:15-19. 49:13. Josh. 11:8.
i 1. Num. 24:24. Ez. 27:6. k Deut. 28:64-67. Lam. 1:3. 4:15.
1 13:19. Gen. 11:28,31. Job 1:17. Hab. 1:6. Acts 7:4.
m Gen. 2:14. 10:10,11. 11:9. 2 Kings 17:24. 20:12. 2 Chr. 33: 11. Ezra 4:9,10. Dan. 4:30. n Ps. 72:9.
o Ez. 26:7,&c. 29:18.
p 1,6. Ez. 27:25-30. Rev. 18:11-19.
cause of the close connexion which subsisted between the two cities, and the dependence of the Tyrians on Tarshish, after Tyre was taken. -"Pass through thy land like a flood to the daughter of Tarshish." Old Version . The expression may, however, relate to the ships of Tarshish, with which Tyre carried on her commerce and acquired her greatness. (14. Note, 1 Kings 10:22.) - Work thine own land, 'for indeed the ships come no more to thee 'from Carthage.' Sept. That is, 'employ thy'self in agriculture, for trade is ruined.'
V. 11. Either Nebuchadnezzar, or Alexander the Great, may here be intended; or God himself, as employing them. Both of these mighty conquerors, "stretched their hand over the sea, and shook the kingdoms:" and each of them besieged and took Tyre. But they had their commission from God, to destroy the strong holds of that merchant-city; or "of Canaan." ( Marg . ) Tyre was the principal stronghold in the land of Canaan: the word, however, signifies a merchant. (Note, Zech. 14:20, 21.)
V. 12. Zidon seems to have been one of the oldest cities in the world: ( Marg . Ref . Note , Gen. 49:13.) it is mentioned by Homer, but Tyre is not. Tyre was called "the daughter of Zidon," as built by the Zidonians. The
after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as 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.
18 And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be a for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for #durable clothing.
q Jer. 25:9-11,22. 27:3-7.29: 10. Ez. 29:11.
r Dan. 7:14. 8:21. Rev. 17:10. Heb. it shall be unto Tyre as the song of an harlot. Ez. 27: 25. Hos. 2:15.
s Prov. 7:10-12. Jer. 30:14. t Jer. 29:10. Zeph. 2:7. Acts 15:14.
u Deut. 23:18. Ez. 16:31. 22:13. 27:6,&c. Hos. 12:7,8. Mic. 1:7. 3:11. 1 Tim. 3:3,8: 1 Pet. 5:2.
Nah. 3:4. Rev. 17:2-5.18:
9-14.19:2.
y 60:6,7. 2 Chr. 2:7-9,11-16. Ps. 45:12. 72:10. Zech. 14:20, 21. Mark 3:8. Acts 21:3-5. z Matt. 6:19-21. Luke 12:1820,33. 16:9-13.
a Deut. 12:18,19. 26:12-14. Prov. 3:9,10. 13:22. 28:8. Ec. 2:26. Mal. 3:10. Matt. 25:35 -40. Luke 8:3. Acts 9:39. Rom. 15:25-27. Gal. 6:6. Phil. 4:17,18.
|| Heb. old
test with the Romans is well known; and the others were greatly disquieted, and at length reduced by the same power.
V. 13. ( Marg . Ref . ) 'The Chaldeans, Chas ' dim , are supposed to have had their origin and 'to have taken their name from Chesed , the son 'of Nachor, the brother of Abraham.' (Gen. 22:22.) 'They were known by that name in 'the time of Moses; who calls Ur in Mesopo'tamia from whence Abraham came, to distin'guish it from other places of the same name, Ur of the Chaldeans. And Jeremiah calls 'them an ancient nation.
"This people_was 'not," that is, they were of no account, ( Deut . 32:21.) they were not reckoned among the 'great and potent nations of the world till of later times; they were a rude, uncivilized, bar'barous people, without laws, without settled 'habitations; wandering in a wide desert country )ציים( and addicted to rapine, like the wild 'Arabians. Such they are represented to have 'been in the time of Job; Job 1:17. and such 'they continued to be till Assur , some powerful 'king of Assyria, gathered them together, and 'settled them in Babylon and the neighboring 'country.' Bp. Lowth .
The Assyrians, were at 'that time,' (when this prophecy was delivered,) 'the great monarchs of the East; the Chal'deans were their slaves and subjects: and
'prophet calls Tyre an oppressed virgin , be- 'therefore it is the more extraordinary that the
cause she was conquered, and as it were rav'ished, by her enemies. Whereas those cities, 'which never came into a conqueror's hands, 'are styled virgins.' Lowth . The Assyrians besieged Tyre, but could not take it: Nebuchadnezzar was its first conqueror; and the inhabitants, no longer able to resist, passed over, in great numbers, to the countries bordering on the Mediterranean: but the colonies of 1 vt ans, in Greece, Sicily, Spain, or Africa, hau no rest. Carthage was a colony from Tyre, and her unsuccessful and ruinous con-days of this one king, or kingdom, Tyre con
'prophet should foresee the ... conquest of the 'Chaldeans.' Bp . Newton . This obscure people were appointed by the Lord to destroy renowned and haughty Tyre, with all its strong towers, and magnificent palaces.
V. 14. Notes , 1. Ez . 26:15-18. Rev. 18:9-20. V. 15-18. From the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, who in some respects was the founder of the Babylonian monarchy, to the ruin of that monarchy by Cyrus, were exactly seventy years. And for a term equal to the
tinued in obscurity and neglect. ( Notes , Jer . 25:8-27. 27:2-11.) Yet Tyre was not taken by Nebuchadnezzar till nearly the middle of that period. But learned men have also shewn, that it was just seventy years, from the taking of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar, to the time, when Darius Hystaspis, by granting some immunities to that city, made way for the recovery of its trade and prosperity.
As covetousness is idolatry, and idolatry is spiritual whoredom; the arts of this commercial city to re-establish her trade are represented by those, which harlots in those days used to draw the attention of their lovers. For seventy years Tyre had been as a neglected harlot: yet she again employed her former arts, to regain her traffic; and was rendered prosperous by divine Providence. But, in consequence, she corrupted all the kingdoms, with her pride, avarice, and luxury.
In due time, however, the Lord intended to plant the gospel there: then numbers of the Tyrians, being converted to Christ, would use that wealth, which had been acquired by commerce, and about which men generally commit wickedness, to maintain the ministry of the gospel, to feed the poor, and to spread the Christian religion: being able, through their affluence, to rovide sufficiently for these expenses, which poorer churches could scarcely defray: and then the wealth of Tyre, which had been as "the hire of a harlot," would become "holiness to the LORD." ( Marg .
Ref . y.-Note, Ps . 45: 12.)-A church was founded early in Tyre, which became a kind of mother-church to several others, which were connected with it: (Note, Acts 21:1-6.) so that Christianity was established at Tyre for some ages, till the Saracens took the city; and from that time it gradually decayed, till it was at length almost entirely desolated. ( Notes , Ez . 26: 27: 28:)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Every advantage, of whatever kind, may become an occasion of mischief to us, through the depravity of our hearts and the temptations of Satan: and therefore commerce, which might be, and sometimes has been, subservient to the noblest purposes, too commonly proves a source of luxury, pride, ostentation, and impiety; and is connected with avarice, fraud, oppression, and cruelty.
As those cities, which have successively tyrannised over the nations of the earth, have successively been made monuments of the divine vengeance; so have those likewise which have been the marts of nations. It behoves the inhabitants of the great commercial capital of Britain to be still for a short space, and to contemplate the fate of Tyre.
Like that ancient centre of commerce, this city and nation are replenished by the trade of the whole earth; claim the sovereignty of the ocean; and receive revenues from distant seas and rivers, not less abundant, than the harvest of our fertile plains: and London is at least as "joyous a city," as ever Tyre was; though it does not VOL. IV.
boast of so great an antiquity. But Tyre is now laid waste, and there is no house, nor entering in: silence and solitude have erected their empire, where this busy merchant-city stood; and her inhabitants are all either extinct, or removed to other lands! Yet when this prediction was delivered, probably, its wealthy inhabitants could not have believed it possible, that such a change should ensue.
This report may well cause our wealthy, but ungodly citizens, (of whom there are not a few,) to be sorely pained and alarmed: her merchants were, and ours are, “princes, and the honorable of the earth." But they gloried and trusted in their prosperity, and abused it: and the Lord took his counsel against them on purpose "to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth:" that they, who had forgotten him, should feel his superiority and sovereignty; that the vanity of all earthly prosperity might be manifested; and to shew, how soon infamy must overwhelm all those who do not seek "the honor which cometh from God."-He is able to raise up enemies against us also, from the most obscure nations, and to bring them from the remotest corners of the earth: and at his commandment some savage conqueror may arise to execute his righteous purposes: nor can any distant country give rest to those, of whom God has said, "there is no rest for them." ( Notes , 48:20 -22, υ. 22. 57:20,21.) -The accomplishment of the prophecies, through successive ages to the present day, evinces, that every promise and threatening in the sacred volume, will surely take place on those nations, or individuals, to which they belong.
It cannot be calculated how much iniquity is committed by such as are greedy of gain: nor can the manifold artifices be developed, by which crafty traffickers supplant, over-reach, and cheat each other; and seduce the ignorant and unwary.--Numbers regard not what crimes they commit, or tempt others to commit, or what miseries they occasion; provided they do but get their hire, which is often more infamous than that of the vilest prostitute.--But, while men of this character are treasuring up wrath, with their accumulating wealth, and corrupting whole kingdoms by such traffic, as tends to disseminate intemperance or murder; there are some even in our land, who conduct their commercial concerns with far other views, and on very different principles.
By honorable gains they possess affluence; and they neither treasure it up in avarice, nor spend it in profligacy or luxury: but consecrate it to the Lord, and employ it to diffuse the knowledge of his truth to distant regions; to provide sufficient and suitable food and raiment for his indigent servants; and to relieve the wants of multitudes, of whom they know no more, than that they are human beings in distress. Now this is noble: and riches thus obtained and expended, are a privilege and a blessing.
Thus should Christians conduct business, as the servants of God, and use riches, as his stewards. As vital godliness [81
5 The earth also ish defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are
e 1. 6:11. Lev. 26:30-35. Deut. 29:23,28. 2 Chr. 36:21. Ez. 36:4.
f See on 21:17. - 22:25 Jer. 13: 15. Mic. 4:4.
g 3:26. 28:1. 33:9. 64:6. Jer. 4: 28. 12:4. Hos. 4:3.
*Heb. height of the people. See
on 2:11,12.
h Gen. 3:17,18. 6:11-13. Lev. 18:24-28. 20:22. Num. 35:34. 2 Chr. 33:9. Ps. 106:36-39. Jer. 3.1.2. Ez. 7:20-24. 22: 24-31. Mic. 2:10. Rom. 8:20, 21.
i 1:2-5. 50:1. 59:1-3,12-15. Deut. 32:15,20. 2 Kings 17:723. 22-13-17. 23:26,27. Ezra 9:6,7. Ez. 20:13,24. Dan. 9:5, 10.
k Josh 24:25. Dan. 7:25. Mark 7:7-9. Luke 1:6. Heb. 9:1.
1 55:3. Gen. 17:13,14. 2 Sam. 23:5. Ps. 105:10. Jer. 50:5. Ez. 37:26. Heb. 13:20.
m 42:24,25. Deut. 20:15-20. 29:22-28. 30:18,19. Josh. 23: 15,16. Zech. 5:3,4. Mal. 2:2. 3:9. 4:1,6. Matt. 27:25.
shall abound, such characters will become more numerous; and then commerce will be rendered a blessing, not only to the cities where it is conducted, but to the human species at large.
NOTES.