2 Be silent, you people of the island and you merchants of Sidon, whom the seafarers have enriched.
2 Be still, O inhabitants of the coast; the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you.
2 Hold your tongue, you who live on the seacoast, merchants of Sidon. Your people sailed the deep seas, buying and selling,
2 Be still, you inhabitants of the coastland, You merchants of Sidon, Whom those who cross the sea have filled.
2 Mourn in silence, you people of the coast and you merchants of Sidon. Your traders crossed the sea,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 23:2
Commentary on Isaiah 23:1-14
(Read Isaiah 23:1-14)
Tyre was the mart of the nations. She was noted for mirth and diversions; and this made her loth to consider the warnings God gave by his servants. Her merchants were princes, and lived like princes. Tyre being destroyed and laid waste, the merchants should abandon her. Flee to shift for thine own safety; but those that are uneasy in one place, will be so in another; for when God's judgments pursue sinners, they will overtake them. Whence shall all this trouble come? It is a destruction from the Almighty. God designed to convince men of the vanity and uncertainty of all earthly glory. Let the ruin of Tyre warn all places and persons to take heed of pride; for he who exalts himself shall be abased. God will do it, who has all power in his hand; but the Chaldeans shall be the instruments.