“The sea” and “the stronghold of the sea” are poetic references to Tyre. Without Tyre, Sidon, as a city closely associated with Tyre, would not be secure. Sidon is therefore called upon to be ashamed. Tyre is personified as a childless woman who says she has never given birth. The city speaks as if she never had any fortune.
4 Sois confuse, Sidon! Car ainsi parle la mer, la forteresse de la mer: Je n'ai point eu de douleurs, je n'ai point enfanté, Je n'ai point nourri de jeunes gens, ni élevé de jeunes filles.