Introduction:
The prophecy against Tyre is a significant biblical pronouncement found primarily in the Book of Ezekiel, chapters 26 to 28. Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth, maritime prowess, and strategic location on the Mediterranean coast. The prophecies concerning Tyre highlight themes of judgment, pride, and the sovereignty of God over nations.

Historical Context:
Tyre was a major commercial hub in the ancient Near East, renowned for its trade networks and skilled artisans. The city consisted of two parts: the mainland settlement and an island fortress. Tyre's economic success and strategic alliances made it a powerful city-state, often interacting with neighboring kingdoms, including Israel and Judah.

Biblical Texts:

1. Ezekiel 26:1-21:
The prophecy begins with a declaration of judgment against Tyre. The LORD speaks through Ezekiel, announcing that many nations will rise against Tyre, likening them to the waves of the sea. The prophecy foretells the destruction of the city, its walls, and towers, and the scraping of its soil to make it a bare rock. The text emphasizes that Tyre will become a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea. The LORD declares, "I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves" (Ezekiel 26:3). The prophecy also predicts that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, will lay siege to Tyre, leading to its downfall.

2. Ezekiel 27:1-36:
This chapter presents a lamentation for Tyre, portraying the city as a magnificent ship filled with goods and riches. The lament describes Tyre's extensive trade network, listing various regions and their contributions to Tyre's wealth. The imagery of a shipwreck symbolizes the impending disaster. The text highlights the pride and self-sufficiency of Tyre, which ultimately leads to its downfall. "Your wealth, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners, your sailors, your shipwrights, your merchants, and all your warriors within you, with all the company that is in your midst, will sink into the heart of the seas on the day of your downfall" (Ezekiel 27:27).

3. Ezekiel 28:1-19:
This section contains a prophecy against the ruler of Tyre, often interpreted as a reflection of the city's arrogance. The ruler is described as having a heart lifted up with pride, claiming to be a god. The LORD rebukes this hubris, reminding the ruler of his mortality. The text includes a lament over the king of Tyre, drawing parallels to the fall of a cherubic figure in Eden. "By the multitude of your iniquities, by the unrighteousness of your trade, you have profaned your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the eyes of all who saw you" (Ezekiel 28:18).

Theological Themes:

· Divine Judgment: The prophecy against Tyre underscores the theme of divine judgment against nations that exalt themselves in pride and rely on their wealth and power. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to bring down the proud.

· Pride and Hubris: Tyre's downfall is attributed to its pride and self-reliance. The prophecy highlights the dangers of arrogance and the belief in self-sufficiency, contrasting it with the need for humility before God.

· Sovereignty of God: The prophecies affirm that God is in control of history and the fate of nations. Despite Tyre's strength and influence, it is subject to the will of the LORD, who orchestrates its rise and fall.

Conclusion:
The prophecy against Tyre serves as a powerful message about the consequences of pride and the ultimate authority of God over human affairs. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, the biblical text conveys the certainty of divine judgment and the transient nature of earthly power.