ישעיהו, פרק כ״ג, פסוק י״ז

After enduring seventy years of ruin and isolation, the city of Tyre is destined to reclaim its position as a global center of commerce. When this period of desolation ends, God will turn His attention back to the city, remembering it and placing it under His providence [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. The prophet stresses a clear lesson in this restoration: just as Tyre's downfall was brought about by God, its revival is entirely dependent on His will. This ensures the city recognizes that its fate rests solely in His hands [רד״ק]. Without God's direct influence, no amount of human effort or ambition would be enough to rebuild their empire [אברבנאל].

Scholars offer different perspectives on exactly when this historical revival takes place. Some identify this era as the time of Sennacherib and Hezekiah, a period when Tyre and Jerusalem formed an alliance to stand against a shared enemy [אברבנאל]. Others suggest the restoration occurred later, either during the Babylonian exile under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar [אבן עזרא מובא באברבנאל], or further on during the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia [מלבי״ם].

As Tyre regains its former wealth, its renewed international trade is described through the striking metaphor of a prostitute returning to collect her wages. The primary approach among commentators is that this imagery perfectly captures the essence of global commerce, as Tyre will once again supply goods to people from all over the world who flock to her markets. However, the choice of such imagery is intentional, serving as a mocking and derogatory critique of the city's economic activities [רש״י].

A subtle, sarcastic wordplay reinforces this critique. Rather than returning to a state of true strength and stability, the city merely returns to collecting its illicit wages [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, the metaphor is highly accurate. Just as a prostitute accepts payment and makes herself available to anyone who seeks her out, a bustling merchant city eagerly builds relationships and conducts business with every nation and culture it encounters [שד״ל].