And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say unto thee,.... The following mournful song:how art thou destroyed that wast inhabited of seafaring men; or, "of the seas": by men who used the seas, and traded by sea to different parts of the world; and was frequented by persons that came by sea thither, by the great ocean, by the Red sea, the Mediterranean sea, and others; or, which was surrounded by the sea.
So the Targum,"that dwellest in the midst of the sea:''"the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea"; fortified by the sea, and against it; strong in shipping and naval stores; so as to be formidable to others, and mistress of the sea.
The Targum is,"which dwell in the strength of the sea;''and had the strength and riches of it brought unto it; and so was famous all the world over for its commerce, wealth, and power; but now ruined and undone:she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!