KJV ORIGINAL
He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
He stretched out his hand over the sea and shook the nations. The LORD has given a command against the trading city to destroy its fortresses.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is declaring His power over the sea and nations, commanding the destruction of a wealthy merchant city and its defenses.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy against Tyre, a powerful Phoenician port city known for its extensive maritime trade and wealth. Tyre was considered nearly impregnable due to its location on an island and its strong fortifications, making it a dominant commercial power in the ancient world. The prophecy was likely given during the 8th century BC when Tyre was at the height of its influence.
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