Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 23:11

11 He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city , to destroy the strong holds thereof.

The Lord, expressed v. 9.

To strike it, the Antecedent being put for the Consequent.

Or, against the sea; i. e. against Tyrus, the Daughter of the Sea, as she was now called; and consequently against all those Ships and Men which used to Traffique with Tyrus, and were enriched by that Trade, and therefore suffered in her Fall.

Heb. He made the kingdoms to tremble; either, 1. the two Kingdoms of Tyre and Sidon; or rather, 2. the neighbouring and confederate Kingdoms, as appears by comparing this with Ezek. 26. 15, 16, 17, 18. who might justly quake at her Fall, partly for the dreadfulness and unexpectedness of the thing; partly because Tyre was a Bulwark, and a Refuge, and a great Advantage to them; and partly because her Fall made way for their Ruine, as being destroyed by their Common Enemy.

Hath contrived and purposed it, as was said v. 8, 9. hath put this Design into the Heads and Hearts of her Enemies, and given them Courage to attempt, and Strength to execute so difficult an Enterprise.

Heb. against Canaan: the Word Canaan being taken either, 1. for a merchant, as it is used Iob 41. 6. Hos. 12. 7. or rather, 2. for the Proper Name of a Place or People, as it is generally used: for the Tyrians and Sidonians were descended from Canaan, Gen. 10. 15. and were the onely considerable Remainders of that cursed Race whom God had devoted to Destruction. And so this Phrase may be here used both as an Evidence and as an Argument of their intended and approaching Ruine.

Marginal references: Or, concerning a merchant-man.; Heb Canaan.; Or, strengths.