Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Be ashamed, Sidon, and you fortress of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters.” New Living Translation But now you are put to shame, city of Sidon, for Tyre, the fortress of the sea, says, “Now I am childless; I have no sons or daughters.” English Standard Version Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying: “I have neither labored nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women.” Berean Standard Bible Be ashamed, O Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” Berean Literal Bible Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the strength of the sea, saying: “I have not been pained and I have not brought forth children, and I have not nourished young men or brought up young women.” King James Bible Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. New King James Version Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea has spoken, The strength of the sea, saying, “I do not labor, nor bring forth children; Neither do I rear young men, Nor bring up virgins.” New American Standard Bible Be ashamed, Sidon, For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have neither been in labor nor given birth, I have neither brought up young men nor raised virgins.” NASB 1995 Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have neither travailed nor given birth, I have neither brought up young men nor reared virgins.” NASB 1977 Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have neither travailed nor given birth, I have neither brought up young men nor reared virgins.” Legacy Standard Bible Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea speaks, the strong defense of the sea, saying, “I have neither travailed nor given birth; I have neither brought up choice men nor reared virgins.” Amplified Bible Be ashamed, O Sidon [mother-city of Tyre, now like a widow bereaved of her children]; For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have neither labored nor given birth [to children]; I have neither brought up young men nor reared virgins.” Berean Annotated Bible Be ashamed, O Sidon (hunting), the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women. Christian Standard Bible Be ashamed, Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Be ashamed Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken:” I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” American Standard Version Be thou ashamed, O Sidon; for the sea hath spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins. Contemporary English Version Sidon, you are a mighty fortress built along the sea. But you will be disgraced like a married woman who never had children. English Revised Version Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, the strong hold of the sea; saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins. GOD'S WORD® Translation Be ashamed, Sidon, because the stronghold by the sea has spoken, "I've never been in labor or given birth. I've raised no sons. I've brought up no daughters." Good News Translation City of Sidon, you are disgraced! The sea and the great ocean depths disown you and say, "I never had any children. I never raised sons or daughters." International Standard Version Be ashamed, Sidon, because the sea has spoken, the fortress of the sea: I have neither been in labor nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women." NET Bible Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea says this, O fortress of the sea: "I have not gone into labor or given birth; I have not raised young men or brought up young women." New Heart English Bible Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, "I have not travailed, nor brought forth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins." Webster's Bible Translation Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish young men, nor bring up virgins. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBe ashamed, O Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” World English Bible Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have not travailed, nor given birth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBe ashamed, O Sidon; for the sea spoke, "" The strength of the sea, saying, “I have not been pained, nor have I brought forth, "" Nor have I nourished young men, [nor] brought up virgins.” Berean Literal Bible Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the strength of the sea, saying: “I have not been pained and I have not brought forth children, and I have not nourished young men or brought up young women.” Young's Literal Translation Be ashamed, O Zidon; for the sea spake, The strength of the sea, saying: 'I have not been pained, nor have I brought forth, Nor have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.' Smith's Literal Translation Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea said, the strength of the sea, saying, I was not pained, I brought not forth, and I caused not youths to grow, and I raised not up virgins. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBe thou ashamed, O Sidon: for the sea speaketh, even the strength of the sea, saying: I have not been in labour, nor have I brought forth, nor have I nourished up young men, nor brought up virgins. Catholic Public Domain Version Be ashamed, O Sidon! For the sea speaks, the strength of the sea, saying: “I have not been in labor, and I have not given birth, and I have not raised young men, nor have I promoted the development of virgins.” New American Bible Be ashamed, Sidon, fortress on the sea, for the sea has spoken, “I have not been in labor, nor given birth, nor raised young men, nor reared young women.” New Revised Standard Version Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the fortress of the sea, saying: “I have neither labored nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBe ashamed, O Zidon; for the sea has spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I have neither been in travail nor have I given birth to children, neither have I reared young men nor brought up virgins. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Be ashamed, Tsidon, because the sea and the strength of the sea said: “I have not been in labor and I have not raised neither given birth to boys, nor have I raised girls!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Be thou ashamed, O Zidon; for the sea hath spoken, The stronghold of the sea, saying: 'I have not travailed, nor brought forth, Neither have I reared young men, nor brought up virgins.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Be ashamed, O Sidon: the sea has said, yea, the strength of the sea has said, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, nor have I brought up young men, nor reared virgins. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Fall of Tyre…3On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations. 4Be ashamed, O Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” 5When the report reaches Egypt, they will writhe in agony over the news of Tyre.… Cross References Be ashamed, O Sidon Ezekiel 28:22 And you are to declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will be glorified within you. They will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments against her and demonstrate My holiness through her. Joel 3:4 Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads. Zechariah 9:2 and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd. the stronghold of the sea Ezekiel 26:17 Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! Ezekiel 27:4 Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders perfected your beauty. Joshua 19:29 The border then turned back toward Ramah as far as the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah, and came out at the Sea in the region of Achzib, for the sea has spoken: Psalm 93:3-4 The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves. / Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic. Isaiah 17:12-13 Alas, the tumult of many peoples; they rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters. / The nations rage like the rush of many waters. He rebukes them, and they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweeds before a gale. Psalm 65:7 You stilled the roaring of the seas, the pounding of their waves, and the tumult of the nations. “I have not been in labor or given birth. Isaiah 54:1 “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. Isaiah 66:7-9 “Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. / Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. / Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God. 1 Samuel 2:5 The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” Isaiah 51:18 Among all the sons she bore, there is no one to guide her; among all the sons she brought up, there is no one to take her hand. Hosea 9:12 Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them! Isaiah 49:20-21 Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’ / Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’” Ezekiel 26:15-18 This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: ‘Will not the coastlands quake at the sound of your downfall, when the wounded groan at the slaughter in your midst? / All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you. / Then they will lament for you, saying, “How you have perished, O city of renown inhabited by seafaring men—she who was powerful on the sea, along with her people, who imposed terror on all peoples! … Treasury of Scripture Be you ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea has spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. I travail Jeremiah 47:3,4 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands; … Ezekiel 26:3-6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up… Hosea 9:11-14 As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception… Jump to Previous Ashamed Birth Children Forth Nourish Nourished Sea Sidon Speaks Strength Stronghold Travail Travailed Virgins Young ZidonJump to Next Ashamed Birth Children Forth Nourish Nourished Sea Sidon Speaks Strength Stronghold Travail Travailed Virgins Young ZidonIsaiah 23 1. The miserable overthrow of Tyre15. Her restoration and unfaithfulness Be ashamed, O Sidon Sidon was a prominent Phoenician city, known for its wealth and maritime prowess. The call for Sidon to be ashamed reflects its impending downfall and loss of prestige. Historically, Sidon was a center of trade and culture, often in competition with its sister city, Tyre. The shame is tied to the judgment pronounced by God, highlighting the city's reliance on its own strength rather than on God. This theme of divine judgment against prideful nations is echoed throughout the prophetic books. the stronghold of the sea for the sea has spoken: “I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women.” Persons / Places / Events 1. SidonAn ancient Phoenician city, known for its wealth and maritime prowess. It was a significant center of trade and culture in the ancient Near East. 2. The Sea Represents the maritime power and trade routes that were central to the economy and influence of cities like Sidon and Tyre. 3. Isaiah The prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Israel and surrounding nations, including prophecies of judgment and redemption. 4. Phoenicia The region where Sidon and Tyre were located, known for its seafaring and trading capabilities. 5. Judgment The event of divine retribution that Isaiah prophesies against Sidon, symbolizing the downfall of pride and self-reliance. Teaching Points Pride Leads to DownfallSidon's pride in its maritime strength and economic power led to its judgment. We must guard against pride in our own lives, recognizing that all we have is from God. False Security in Wealth Sidon's reliance on its trade and wealth is a cautionary tale about placing our security in material possessions rather than in God. God's Sovereignty Over Nations The prophecy against Sidon reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations and their destinies. We should trust in His ultimate plan and justice. The Futility of Self-Reliance The imagery of the sea claiming it has not labored or given birth underscores the futility of self-reliance. True fruitfulness comes from God. Repentance and Humility The call to be ashamed is a call to repentance. We are encouraged to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our need for His grace and guidance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 23:4?2. How does Isaiah 23:4 illustrate God's judgment on human pride and arrogance? 3. What lessons can we learn from Tyre's downfall in Isaiah 23:4? 4. How does Isaiah 23:4 connect with other biblical teachings on humility? 5. How can we apply the warning in Isaiah 23:4 to modern society? 6. What role does divine sovereignty play in the events described in Isaiah 23:4? 7. What historical events does Isaiah 23:4 reference regarding Tyre's downfall? 8. How does Isaiah 23:4 reflect God's judgment on nations? 9. What is the significance of Tyre's destruction in Isaiah 23:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 23? 11. In Isaiah 23:4, how can the sea itself lament or mourn, and should this be taken literally or figuratively? 12. What led to Jesus's crucifixion? 13. What is Tyre and Sidon's biblical significance? 14. How does God's guidance through the ephod in 1 Samuel 23 contrast with other Old Testament passages that emphasize prophets rather than priestly objects for divine messages? What Does Isaiah 23:4 Mean Be ashamed, O Sidon• The prophet directly calls Sidon to blush with disgrace. Much like Jeremiah 2:26, where “the house of Israel is ashamed,” this shame points to public exposure of sin. • Sidon was famous for luxury and trade (Ezekiel 27:8-9), yet outward success cannot mask inward rebellion. God’s word strips away the façade, reminding us of Proverbs 16:18—“Pride goes before destruction.” • The command is not merely emotional; it is judicial. Isaiah 23 is an oracle of judgment, placing Sidon alongside other proud nations that refused to acknowledge the LORD (Amos 1:9-10). the stronghold of the sea • Sidon and its sister city Tyre sat on the coast, fortified by walls and fleets. Ezekiel 28:24 calls Sidon “a pricking brier,” highlighting its defensive posture. • Being “strong” by maritime standards bred false security. Psalm 33:17 reminds us that “a horse is a vain hope for salvation;” in the same way, ships and harbors cannot save a nation from divine wrath. • God’s message underscores that even the mightiest coastal fortress is no match for His sovereignty (Psalm 46:2-3). for the sea has spoken • Scripture often personifies creation to amplify a point (Psalm 114:3-7). Here, the “sea” that enriched Sidon now becomes a witness against her. • The Mediterranean, source of her wealth, testifies that God’s judgment will silence the hub of commerce (Revelation 18:17-19 echoes this with the fall of Babylon). • The phrase reminds us that the LORD commands both land and sea; His voice carries through every realm (Job 38:8-11). I have not been in labor or given birth • The sea’s lament pictures barrenness, the opposite of God’s design for fruitfulness (Genesis 1:28). • Though Sidon once “multiplied merchants” (Ezekiel 27:24), judgment will leave her sterile—no new enterprises, no continuance of influence. • Isaiah uses similar imagery of withheld birth in 54:1, yet there the barren woman receives grace; here, barrenness signals curse (Deuteronomy 28:18). I have not raised young men or brought up young women • With no offspring, there is no future generation to man the ships or populate the city. This resonates with Hosea 9:11-14, where children are cut off as a sign of divine displeasure. • The removal of “young men” (strength in battle) and “young women” (promise of new families) marks total societal collapse, like Jeremiah 6:11 where wrath is poured on “children together with young men.” • God’s verdict is comprehensive: economic, military, and familial structures all crumble when a people persist in pride (Isaiah 14:22). summary Isaiah 23:4 pictures proud Sidon stripped of glory. The maritime fortress must “be ashamed” because the very sea that once fueled her success now testifies to her barrenness. God’s judgment will leave her without offspring—no new generation, no lasting legacy. The passage warns that confidence in wealth, defenses, or trade cannot shield anyone from the righteous rule of the LORD. Only humble submission to His word secures true security and enduring fruitfulness. (4) Be thou ashamed, O Zidon . . .--Zidon is addressed as the mother-city of Tyre. The "strength" (or fortress) of the sea is the rock-island on which the new Tyre was built. She sits as a widow bereaved of her children, with no power to renew the population which once crowded her streets. (Comp. Lamentations 1:1.)Verse 4. - Be thou ashamed, O Zidon. Zidon, the most ancient and venerable of the Phoenician cities (Genesis 10:15; Joshua 11:8; Joshua 19:28; Judges 18:7; Justin, 18:3, etc.), is called upon to feel shame because Tyre is captured. The ruin of the metropolitan city would be felt as a disgrace by all the lesser towns, and by Zidon especially. The sea... even the strength of the sea; rather, the stronghold of the sea; i.e. Tyre herself. Tyre declares that she is childless, has neither son nor daughter, is as if she had never travailed nor brought forth children. I travail not, etc.; rather, I have not travailed, nor brought forth, nor nourished up, etc. My children being dead or taken from me, it is as if I had never borne them.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Be ashamed,בּ֣וֹשִׁי (bō·wō·šî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed O Sidon, צִיד֔וֹן (ṣî·ḏō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6721: Sidon -- a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast, also a son of Canaan the stronghold מָע֥וֹז (mā·‘ō·wz) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4581: A place or means of safety, protection of the sea, יָ֔ם (yām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the sea הַיָּ֖ם (hay·yām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin has spoken: אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “I have not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no been in labor חַ֣לְתִּי (ḥal·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 2342: To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert or given birth. יָלַ֗דְתִּי (yā·laḏ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage I have not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no raised גִדַּ֛לְתִּי (ḡid·dal·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great young men בַּחוּרִ֖ים (ba·ḥū·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 970: Selected, a youth or brought up רוֹמַ֥מְתִּי (rō·w·mam·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise young women.” בְתוּלֽוֹת׃ (ḇə·ṯū·lō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 1330: A virgin, sometimes, a bride Links Isaiah 23:4 NIVIsaiah 23:4 NLT Isaiah 23:4 ESV Isaiah 23:4 NASB Isaiah 23:4 KJV Isaiah 23:4 BibleApps.com Isaiah 23:4 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 23:4 Chinese Bible Isaiah 23:4 French Bible Isaiah 23:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 23:4 Be ashamed Sidon (Isa Isi Is) |
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