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 for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

ISAIAH 23:18KJV
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Isaiah 23:18 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 23:18 mean?

Isaiah 23:18 says that the profits and wages from Tyre’s trade will become holy and dedicated to the LORD, not stored up for selfish use but given to those who serve God, providing them with enough food and lasting clothing. The verse shows a future change in how Tyre’s wealth is used—no longer for personal gain, but for supporting those devoted to God.

Isaiah is speaking about the city of Tyre, a major trading center known for its wealth. In this prophecy, Isaiah describes a time when Tyre’s riches, once used for its own benefit, will instead be set apart for God’s purposes. The verse highlights a transformation: Tyre’s commerce will serve the needs of “those who dwell before the LORD,” likely meaning people who worship or serve God, ensuring they have what they need to live.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 23:18

  • The word “holiness” is קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh), which means something set apart or dedicated to God. This shows Tyre’s wealth is not just donated but made sacred, changing its purpose entirely.
  • “Her merchandise” is סְחָרָה (sekhara), referring to goods or trade profits. This emphasizes that the verse is talking about the city’s commercial wealth, not just general possessions.
  • “Hire” is אֶתְנָן (etnan), a word often used for wages, sometimes with a negative sense (like payment for prostitution), but here it means all kinds of earnings from trade.
  • “Dwell before the LORD” uses יָשַׁב לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (yashav lifnei YHWH), meaning to live in God’s presence, likely pointing to people who serve or worship God regularly.

Why Isaiah 23:18 matters

  • Isaiah 23:18 clears up the idea that wealth and commerce are always opposed to God; instead, it shows that even profits from trade can be made holy when dedicated to God’s service.
  • The verse emphasizes a dramatic reversal for Tyre, a city once known for pride and self-indulgence, showing that its resources can be redirected to meet the needs of God’s people.
  • This verse connects to the wider prophecy about Tyre’s downfall and restoration, highlighting that God can transform even the most unlikely sources of wealth for good purposes.

Where else these words appear

“merchandise” Hebrew H5504 · used in 3 verses

  • Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
  • Proverbs 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

“clothing” Hebrew H4374 · used in 4 verses

  • Leviticus 9:19 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver:
  • Isaiah 14:11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
  • Ezekiel 27:7 Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.

“treasured” Hebrew H686 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 20:17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 13:13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
  • Isaiah 39:6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

“sufficiently” Hebrew H7654 · used in 6 verses

  • Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
  • Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
  • Ezekiel 39:19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.