Charles Ellicott Commentary Isaiah 23:10

"Pass through thy land as the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no restraint any more." — Isaiah 23:10 (ASV)

Pass through thy land as a river ... —The word for “river” is that used in Isaiah 23:3 with special reference to the Nile. Here the inundation of the Nile gives special force to the comparison.

The daughter of Tarshish (i.e., Tarshish itself) is to spread and overflow in independent action. The colonies of Tyre are no longer subject to her, paying tribute or custom duties as she might ordain.

There is no “strength,” no “ girdle” now to restrain them, no limit such as Tyre had imposed on their commerce or colonisation. It is significant that Cyprus revolted about this time, and that the Phoenician colonies took part in attacking the mother city under Sennacherib (Josephus, Antiquities ix. 14. 2).