Isaiah 23:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Art. 7, 8. Is this not your majesty in the beginning, prior to being surrendered to him? Who is this congregating at Tyre? Is he the one who is impoverished, or is he the one who lacks strength? I previously mentioned that when Jerusalem was laid waste and the temple was consumed by the Assyrian forces, the neighboring nations rejoiced over Israel's ruin as though it had been completely annihilated, and they hung their heads in shame. They believed that the Israelites had succumbed to their adversaries rather than because of their transgressions; particularly, they presumed that He who rescued them had grown tired, and that their conquerors had become mightier than the divine right hand. Therefore, what do you say, O Tyrians? Did you not cast such a slur upon Me until it was handed over to the enemy? Have you not proclaimed that My power is weaker and less significant than that of your deities?

His feet will take him far away; the people of Tyre will also be moved from their homeland and will journey to Babylon.

Cry out, O inhabitants of the island; cross the waters. Once again, instead of the sea and Pharsis, the LXX translates to Carthage. Historical accounts of the Assyrians tell us that the besieged Tyrians, facing the hopelessness of their situation, fled by ship to Carthage or to other islands in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Thus, Ezekiel remarks, "no reward was given to him and his army from Tyre" (Ezekiel 29:18), as all the riches of the city were taken away, and its nobles deserted it, leaving it desolate.

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