Isaiah 23:12
And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
ISAIAH 23:12
This final verse of the chapter pronounces a direct judgment on Tyre and its coastal pride: “Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon.” The personified Tyre and Zidon are told to arise and pass over to Chittim, another distant location, to seek rest there but find none. The language of “oppressed virgin” underscores Tyre’s vulnerability despite its former prestige—an ironic reversal of its celebrated sexuality of commerce and culture. The call to relocate and endure lack of rest reframes the sense of security previously held in the city’s status. It is a poignant closure to the Tyre oracular judgment in Isaiah 23, suggesting exile, dispersion, and loss as outcomes of participating in prideful economic systems that oppose God.
Theologically, this verse reinforces the theme of exile as both judgment and potential precursor to restoration. The “no more rejoice” marks a radical turning point where former glory cannot sustain joy or security. It highlights the necessity of humility and repentance, as well as the possibility of future renewal under God’s purposes. The sentence also emphasizes that even sacred-sounding or venerable identities (like “oppressed virgin”) are subject to judgment when they align with rebellion against God.
For contemporary readers, think about how institutions—nations, corporations, or communities—can become blind to their dependence on God and vice versa. The practical takeaway is humility and accountability. If you lead an organization, periodically assess whether your success relies on exploitation or unhealthy power dynamics, and pursue reform that honors human dignity. If you feel displaced by global shifts, seek rest in God through supportive community, prayer, and steady routines that ground you beyond transitory achievement. The passage invites people to trust in God’s redemptive plan, even when current structures dissolve, and to live with integrity and mercy that reflect God’s character.
Cross-References: Jeremiah 31:22; Hosea 14:4-7; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Revelation 3:7-8