Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

This verse is added by way of amplification. We have told you the cause why he spake of Zidon thus in particular before.¹ Now calls Tyre, Sea, by way of excellency, as if she alone reigned in the middest it. That which is by and by added, I have not conceived, is spoken in the person of Tyre: and thus he pleasantly derides Tyre, who bragged of her Townes: for Tyre begat or built other Cities very renowned. She was in old time much spoken of (saith Pliny) for the Cities which she built;² to wit, Leptis, Utique, and this Carthage, the imitatrix of the Roman Empire; meaning to rule over all the world; and Gades also, which was built upon the sea. Now all her wealth consisted in purple and scarlet. The Prophet then brings in the City of Tyre, lamenting her ancient glory and excellency: Alas, I am now no longer a mother; and what hath it profited me that I have nourished so many children, and brought forth so many Cities? For Carthage³ was wont to send presents to Tyre every year, by way of homage: and therein acknowledged her for her mother. Thus it seems that Tyre surmounted all other Cities in dignity, seeing Carthage, which was the second after the Roman Empire, did in some sort submit it self unto her. But the Lord took all these ornaments from her in a moment, in such wise, that she laments, as if she had never had children.