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Isaiah 2:16
ESV against all the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft.
NIV for every trading ship and every stately vessel.
NASB Against all the ships of Tarshish And against all the delightful ships.
CSB against every ship of Tarshish, and against every splendid sea vessel.
NLT He will destroy all the great trading ships and every magnificent vessel.
KJV And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
NKJV Upon all the ships of Tarshish, And upon all the beautiful sloops.

What does Isaiah 2:16 mean?

In what do people trust to give them the advantage over all others? Isaiah has listed great trees and mountains, as well as towers and walls (Isaiah 2:13–18). Now he adds to the list the great ships and watercraft of Tarshish. Such vessels were hugely impressive to behold. Compared to other vessels of the day, they towered above the water, giving owners and nations wealth from trade with distant peoples. A nation with both a navy and trading ships was well-positioned on the world stage.

The Lord is not impressed. Isaiah insists that even these great ships will be brought low on the day of the Lord (Ezekiel 30:3; Obadiah 1:15; Acts 2:20; 2 Peter 3:10). They will be no match for His power and glory. All who trust in ships, or wealth, or any material thing will be humbled by His might (Psalm 20:7; Proverbs 11:28; Luke 12:16–21).
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