And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
ISAIAH 23:12KJVWhat does Isaiah 23:12 mean?
Isaiah 23:12 declares that the people of Zidon (Sidon), once known for their joy and prosperity, will no longer find cause to rejoice because of their oppression and loss. Even if they flee to Chittim (likely Cyprus), they will not find rest or relief from their troubles there.
The prophet Isaiah is speaking a message from God to the city of Zidon, a prominent Phoenician port. The verse uses the image of an "oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon" to highlight the city's vulnerability and loss of former glory. The warning that escape to Chittim will not bring rest emphasizes the totality of the coming judgment—no matter where the people go, they cannot escape the consequences.
The Hebrew behind Isaiah 23:12
- "Oppressed" (עֲשׁוּקָה, ʿashuqah): This word means someone who is mistreated or wronged, stressing the suffering and injustice the people of Zidon are experiencing.
- "Virgin" (בְּתוּלָה, bətulah): This term often refers to a young woman who has not been married, used here to evoke innocence and vulnerability, showing how Zidon, once untouched and proud, is now humbled.
- "Chittim" (כִּתִּים, Kittim): This name refers to a region often identified with Cyprus or the western Mediterranean. Mentioning Chittim shows that even distant places, thought to be safe havens, will not offer security.
Why Isaiah 23:12 matters
- Isaiah 23:12 clarifies that God's judgment on Zidon is inescapable, even if the people try to flee far from their homeland.
- The verse highlights the depth of Zidon’s fall by calling the city a "virgin" now oppressed, contrasting its former status with its current humiliation.
- This warning ties into the larger prophecy against Tyre and Sidon, showing that the downfall of these powerful trading cities is part of a broader message about pride and reliance on wealth or location for security.