Isaiah 23:16 Bible Verse Meaning, Explanation & Context
"Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered."
Appearing toward the end of the chapter, this verse builds on the preceding truths. Read this verse with nearby lines and chapter themes to avoid out-of-context interpretation.
Verse Navigation
Surrounding Context
These nearby verses help interpret Isaiah 23:16 inside the chapter flow.
Isaiah 23:14
Howl, you ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste!
Isaiah 23:15
It will come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. After the end of seventy years it will be to Tyre like in the song of the prostitute.
Isaiah 23:16
Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered.
Isaiah 23:17
It will happen after the end of seventy years that Yahweh will visit Tyre. She will return to her wages, and will play the prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the earth.
Isaiah 23:18
Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before Yahweh, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
Meaning and Themes
Isaiah 23:16 contains Scripture that reveals God's heart and invites personal response.
Reflection Questions
- What does the word "prostitute" suggest about God's character or His purposes in this verse?
- Read the verses immediately before and after Isaiah 23:16. How does the surrounding context change the way you understand this verse?
- If you were explaining Isaiah 23:16 to a friend, what is the one main idea you would share?
Praying This Verse
"Heavenly Father, as I read Isaiah 23:16 — "Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may…" — open my heart to understand what You are saying. Teach me about Your truth through this passage. Let these words shape how I think and act today. Help me carry this truth into every conversation and decision I face. In Jesus' name, amen."
Start with this prayer, then personalize it to your real situation.
5-Day Verse Study Plan
Day 1 — Read
Read Isaiah 23 in full. Mark where verse 16 sits and observe the flow of the chapter.
Day 2 — Observe
Read Isaiah 23:16 three times slowly. Write down every detail you notice: who is speaking, what is promised, and what action is described.
Day 3 — Interpret
Ask: What did Isaiah 23:16 mean to its original audience? Compare the wording in different translations if possible.
Day 4 — Apply
Write one sentence about how Isaiah 23:16 applies to your life this week. Share it with a friend or journal about it.
Day 5 — Pray
Turn Isaiah 23:16 into a personal prayer. Thank God for what the verse teaches, and ask Him to help you live it out.
Personalized Next Paths
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When you need peace
Use this verse to calm anxious thoughts and turn stress into prayer.
When you need direction
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When you need gratitude
Use this verse to shift from pressure to thanksgiving and trust.
When you need relational wisdom
Apply this verse to family, marriage, friendship, or team conflict.
Common Questions
What does Isaiah 23:16 mean?
Isaiah 23:16 is best understood by reading the full chapter. The meaning deepens when you see what comes before and after.
How can I apply Isaiah 23:16 to my life today?
Start by reading Isaiah 23:16 slowly: "Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many…" Ask what it reveals about God, whether there is a command or promise, and how the truth connects to a situation you are facing right now.
Is Isaiah 23:16 a good verse to memorize?
Memorizing individual verses strengthens your faith. Read Isaiah 23:16 aloud several times, write it from memory, and revisit it throughout the week. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Next Steps
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