Isaiah 23:6
New International Version
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island.

New Living Translation
Send word now to Tarshish! Wail, you people who live in distant lands!

English Standard Version
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coast!

Berean Standard Bible
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coastland!

King James Bible
Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

New King James Version
Cross over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland!

New American Standard Bible
Pass over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland.

NASB 1995
Pass over to Tarshish; Wail, O inhabitants of the coastland.

NASB 1977
Pass over to Tarshish; Wail, O inhabitants of the coastland.

Legacy Standard Bible
Pass over to Tarshish; Wail, O inhabitants of the coastland.

Amplified Bible
Cross over to Tarshish [to seek safety as exiles]; Wail, O inhabitants of the coastland [of Tyre].

Christian Standard Bible
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, inhabitants of the coastland!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, inhabitants of the coastland!

American Standard Version
Pass ye over to Tarshish; wail, ye inhabitants of the coast.

Contemporary English Version
All of you along the coast had better cry and sail far across the ocean.

English Revised Version
Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Travel to Tarshish! Cry loudly, you inhabitants of the seacoast!

Good News Translation
Howl with grief, you people of Phoenicia! Try to escape to Spain!

International Standard Version
"You who are crossing over to Tarshish— Wail, you inhabitants of the coast!

Majority Standard Bible
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coastland!

NET Bible
Travel to Tarshish! Wail, you residents of the coast!

New Heart English Bible
Pass over to Tarshish. Wail, you inhabitants of the coast.

Webster's Bible Translation
Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

World English Bible
Pass over to Tarshish! Wail, you inhabitants of the coast!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Pass over to Tarshish, howl, you inhabitants of the island,

Young's Literal Translation
Pass over to Tarshish, howl, ye inhabitants of the isle,

Smith's Literal Translation
Pass ye through Tarshish; wail, ye inhabitants of the isle.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Pass over the seas, howl, ye inhabitants of the island.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Cross over the seas. Wail, you inhabitants of the island!

New American Bible
Pass over to Tarshish, wail, you who dwell on the coast!

New Revised Standard Version
Cross over to Tarshish— wail, O inhabitants of the coast!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Pass over to Tarshish; howl, O you inhabitants of the islands.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Cross over to Tarshish! Wail, inhabitants of the island!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the coast-land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Depart ye to Carthage; howl, ye that dwell in this island.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Tyre
5When the report reaches Egypt, they will writhe in agony over the news of Tyre. 6Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coastland! 7Is this your jubilant city, whose origin is from antiquity, whose feet have taken her to settle far away?…

Cross References
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! ...

Jeremiah 47:4
For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.

Zechariah 9:3-4
Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. / Behold, the Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

Amos 1:9-10
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood. / So I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre to consume its citadels.”

Joel 3:4-8
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. / For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples. / You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland. ...

Psalm 83:7
of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre.

1 Kings 5:1
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

2 Chronicles 2:11
Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.”

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,

Matthew 11:21-22
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Luke 10:13-14
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

Acts 12:20
Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food.

Mark 7:24
Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice.

Matthew 15:21
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

Acts 21:3-4
After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. / We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.


Treasury of Scripture

Pass you over to Tarshish; howl, you inhabitants of the isle.

pass

Isaiah 23:10,12
Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength…

Isaiah 21:15
For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

howl

Isaiah 23:1,2
The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them…

Isaiah 16:7
Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.

Jump to Previous
Coast Coastland Coast-Land Cries Cross Howl Inhabitants Island Isle Sea-Land Sorrow Tarshish Wail
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Coast Coastland Coast-Land Cries Cross Howl Inhabitants Island Isle Sea-Land Sorrow Tarshish Wail
Isaiah 23
1. The miserable overthrow of Tyre
15. Her restoration and unfaithfulness














Cross over
The phrase "cross over" in Isaiah 23:6 suggests a movement or transition, often associated with leaving one place and entering another. In the Hebrew context, the word used here is "עִבְרוּ" (ivru), which is derived from the root "עבר" (avar), meaning to pass over or through. This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe significant transitions, such as the Israelites crossing the Red Sea or the Jordan River. In this verse, it implies a forced migration or escape, likely due to impending judgment or disaster. The imagery of crossing over can also symbolize a spiritual journey or transformation, urging the reader to consider the deeper implications of moving from a place of comfort to one of uncertainty, much like the spiritual journey of faith.

to Tarshish
Tarshish is a location often mentioned in the Bible, known for its wealth and trade. Historically, it is believed to be a distant port, possibly in Spain or somewhere along the Mediterranean coast. The mention of Tarshish in Isaiah 23:6 indicates a place of refuge or a destination for those fleeing from Tyre. In the biblical narrative, Tarshish represents both opportunity and the unknown, a place where one might seek safety or prosperity. Theologically, it can be seen as a metaphor for seeking worldly solutions to spiritual problems, reminding believers to trust in God's provision rather than relying solely on human endeavors.

Wail
The call to "wail" is a powerful expression of grief and lamentation. In Hebrew, the word used is "הֵילִילוּ" (heililu), which conveys a deep, mournful cry. This term is often associated with mourning over destruction or loss, as seen in other prophetic writings. The command to wail in this context underscores the severity of the situation facing Tyre and its inhabitants. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the inevitable judgment that follows. For the believer, it is a call to repentance and a recognition of the need for God's mercy and forgiveness.

you inhabitants of the coastland
This phrase addresses those living in the coastal regions, specifically the people of Tyre and possibly other nearby areas. The term "inhabitants" (יֹשְׁבֵי, yoshevei) indicates those who dwell or reside in a particular place. The "coastland" (אִי, i) refers to the maritime regions, which were centers of commerce and trade in the ancient world. The inhabitants of these areas were often reliant on the sea for their livelihood, making them vulnerable to both economic and natural upheavals. In a broader spiritual sense, this phrase can be seen as a call to all who place their trust in material wealth and security, urging them to recognize the transient nature of worldly possessions and to seek refuge in the eternal promises of God.

(6) Pass ye over to Tarshish . . .--The words have the ring of a keen irony. The Tyrians are told to go to Tarshish, the extreme point of their commerce; not, as before, to bring back their wealth, but to seek safety there as exiles. No nearer asylum would give them safety. So, in the siege of Tyre by Alexander the Great, the Tyrians sent their old men, women, and children to Carthage (Diod. Sic. xvii. 41). So Layard (Nineveh, plate 71) represents enemies of the Assyrians taking refuge in ships (Cheyne). The "isle" or "coast" is, as before, Tyre, and. its neighbourhoods.

Verse 6. - Pass ye over to Tarshish. The advice was good, and may, perhaps, have been followed to some extent. When Sennacherib attacked Elulaeus of Sidon ( B.C. 701), that monarch fled across the sea ('Records of the Past,' vol. 1. p. 35), probably to Cyprus. When Alexander finally ruined Tyre, a part of the population made its escape on shipboard to Carthage (Arrian,' Exp. Alex.,' 2:24, § 8). An escape of the kind is represented in the Assyrian sculptures (Layard, 'Monuments of Nineveh,' first series, pl. 7l).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Cross over
עִבְר֖וּ (‘iḇ·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to Tarshish;
תַּרְשִׁ֑ישָׁה (tar·šî·šāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8659: Tarshish -- a son of Javan, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite

wail,
הֵילִ֖ילוּ (hê·lî·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3213: To howl, make a howling

O inhabitants
יֹ֥שְׁבֵי (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of the coastland!
אִֽי׃ (’î)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 339: A habitable spot, dry land, a coast, an island


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 23:6 Pass over to Tarshish! (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 23:5
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