And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.

ISAIAH 23:3KJV
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Isaiah 23:3 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 23:3 mean?

Isaiah 23:3 describes how the wealth of Tyre comes from trade along the sea, especially from the produce of Egypt, called here the "seed of Sihor" and "harvest of the river." The verse highlights Tyre as a major trading center, gathering goods from many nations.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking about Tyre, a famous port city, and its economic power. Tyre’s prosperity depends on its trade connections, especially with Egypt, whose fertile Nile region ("Sihor" and "the river") supplies valuable crops. The verse paints Tyre as a marketplace for many nations, showing its importance in the ancient world’s economy.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 23:3

  • סִיחוֹר (Sihor, siḥor): This word refers to a branch of the Nile River in Egypt, symbolizing Egypt’s agricultural abundance. Mentioning Sihor points to Egypt as a key trading partner.
  • יָם (waters, mayim): The phrase "great waters" refers to the Mediterranean Sea, emphasizing Tyre’s role as a seaport and its reliance on maritime trade.
  • תְּבוּאָה (harvest, tevu'ah): This word means the produce or yield of the land, highlighting the agricultural goods coming from Egypt to Tyre.
  • מַרְכֹּלֶת (mart, markolet): This term means a marketplace or trading center, underlining Tyre’s function as a hub where many nations come to buy and sell.

Why Isaiah 23:3 matters

  • Isaiah 23:3 clarifies that Tyre’s wealth was not just local but depended on international trade, especially with Egypt, making its downfall a major event for many nations.
  • The verse connects Tyre’s prosperity directly to the Nile’s fertility, showing how interconnected the ancient economies were.
  • By calling Tyre a "mart of nations," Isaiah sets up the wider passage’s theme of judgment on prideful, wealthy cities that trust in commerce rather than in God.

Where else these words appear

“mart” Hebrew H5505 · 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.
  • Isaiah 45:14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.

“Sihor” Hebrew H7883 · used in 4 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • 1 Chronicles 13:5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.
  • Jeremiah 2:18 And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

“revenue” Hebrew H8393 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 47:24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
  • Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
  • Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

“river” Hebrew H2975 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
  • Exodus 7:24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
  • Isaiah 37:25 I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.