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 23:18KJVWhat 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.