The "Song of the Prostitute" is a term often associated with a passage found in the book of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 23:15-18. This passage is part of a prophecy concerning the city of Tyre, a significant ancient Phoenician city known for its wealth and commerce. The prophecy, delivered by the prophet Isaiah, addresses the impending judgment and subsequent restoration of Tyre, using the metaphor of a prostitute to describe the city's future actions.

Biblical Context

Isaiah 23 is a chapter dedicated to the oracle against Tyre, a city renowned for its maritime prowess and economic influence in the ancient Near East. The chapter begins with a lament over the downfall of Tyre, predicting its destruction and the cessation of its trade. The "Song of the Prostitute" appears towards the end of this chapter, where the metaphor of a prostitute is employed to illustrate Tyre's return to its former activities after a period of desolation.

Scriptural Passage

The relevant passage in Isaiah 23:15-18 reads:

> "At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the span of a king’s life. But at the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute: 'Take up your harp, stroll through the city, O forgotten harlot; make sweet melody, sing many a song, so you will be remembered.' And at the end of seventy years, the LORD will restore Tyre, and she will return to her hire as a prostitute and ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. Yet her profits and wages will be set apart to the LORD; they will not be stored or hoarded, for her profits will go to those who live in the presence of the LORD, to provide them with ample food and fine clothing."

Interpretation and Themes

The "Song of the Prostitute" serves as a vivid metaphor for Tyre's commercial revival. The imagery of a prostitute taking up her harp and singing to be remembered suggests Tyre's efforts to regain its former status and influence through trade and commerce. The passage indicates that after a period of seventy years, symbolic of a complete cycle or a king's lifespan, Tyre will once again engage in its mercantile activities.

Theologically, this passage underscores the sovereignty of God over nations and their destinies. Despite Tyre's return to its commercial practices, the ultimate purpose of its wealth is redirected by divine decree. The profits and wages, once symbols of Tyre's self-serving trade, are consecrated to the LORD, indicating a transformation in their use for the benefit of those who serve God.

Historical and Cultural Background

Tyre was a prominent city-state in ancient Phoenicia, located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its skilled sailors and extensive trade networks, Tyre played a crucial role in the economic landscape of the ancient world. The city's wealth and influence made it a significant power, but also a target for conquest and judgment by surrounding empires.

The metaphor of prostitution in the biblical text reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of using such imagery to describe unfaithfulness or mercantile exploitation. In this context, Tyre's "prostitution" is not literal but symbolic of its commercial dealings and alliances with various nations.

Prophetic Significance

The prophecy concerning Tyre, including the "Song of the Prostitute," highlights the transient nature of human power and wealth. It serves as a reminder that all nations and their fortunes are subject to God's will and purpose. The eventual consecration of Tyre's profits to the LORD signifies the redemptive potential within God's plans, where even the wealth of a once-proud city can be used for divine purposes.

This passage, like many others in the prophetic books, calls for reflection on the priorities and pursuits of nations and individuals, urging a recognition of God's ultimate authority over all earthly endeavors.