Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?

ISAIAH 23:8KJV
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Isaiah 23:8 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 23:8 mean?

Isaiah 23:8 asks who has planned the downfall of Tyre, a city known for its wealth and influence. The question makes the threat striking: even a city whose traders enjoyed the status of rulers could face a power greater than its own.

Isaiah calls Tyre “the crowning city,” a picture of a city able to confer royal honor. After verse 7 recalls Tyre’s ancient history, verse 8 turns to the question of who could bring such a city low.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 23:8

  • “counsel” — יָעַץ (yaʿats): This word carries the sense of planning or deciding on a course of action. Isaiah’s question asks who has devised the action against Tyre, not merely who has spoken against it.
  • “crowning” — עָטַר (ʿatar): This word means to crown or adorn. Here the image presents Tyre as a city that bestowed honor and authority on others.
  • “traffickers” — כְּנַעֲנִי (kenaʿani): This word can mean a Canaanite or a trader. In this verse, “traffickers” points to people engaged in trade, whose standing reached far beyond Tyre.

Why Isaiah 23:8 matters

  • The question prepares the reader for a direct answer. Verse 9 names “the Lord of hosts” as the one who planned the action against Tyre.
  • The coming judgment reaches the city’s highest social ranks. Verse 9 speaks of bringing down “the honourable of the earth,” echoing Isaiah 23:8’s description of Tyre’s traders.

Where else these words appear

“crowning” Hebrew H5849 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 23:26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
  • Psalms 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
  • Psalms 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

“merchants” Hebrew H5503 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
  • 2 Chronicles 1:16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
  • Jeremiah 14:18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

“Tyre” Hebrew H6865 · used in 39 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • Psalms 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
  • Ezekiel 27:2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;

“counsel” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
  • Isaiah 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.