ישעיהו, פרק כ״ג, פסוק ט״ז

After a period of isolation and economic stagnation, the once-bustling city of Tyre faces the desperate need to reclaim its lost commercial glory. The prophet captures this struggle through a vivid and striking metaphor, comparing the city to a forgotten harlot who has lost her admirers and must now resort to dramatic measures to draw them back.

The primary approach among commentators is to view this imagery as a parable for Tyre's economic revival. Just as a woman who has been hidden away in her home realizes that she is no longer sought after, she takes to the streets with musical instruments, using her sweet voice to capture attention. In the same way, Tyre is forced to actively reawaken the interest of foreign merchants, sending messages to the surrounding nations in a bid to restore its former trade networks [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא].

Alternatively, this imagery can be understood as an independent, mocking song that the people would sing. From this perspective, the instructions given to the woman are not actual advice, but rather a cynical portrayal of her desperate situation. Her true trade is illicit, yet she is reduced to using music as a mere ploy to advertise her presence and become relevant once more [שד״ל].

The prophetic vision distinguishes between different types of musical efforts used in this pursuit. The focus on playing instruments relates directly to physical skill and the beauty of the melody produced. In contrast, the emphasis on abundant singing refers to vocal performance, using rhythmic words carefully chosen to please the listener's ear [מלבי״ם]. On a deeper, more internal level, this abundance of song represents something far less festive. It is interpreted as a call for the city of Tyre to lower its historic pride and multiply its pleas for mercy, begging to be restored to its former standing [רש״י].