Topical Bible: Tyre: City of To be Judged According to Its Opportunity and Privileges

◄ Tyre: City of To be Judged According to Its Opportunity and Privileges ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. Known for its wealth, commerce, and strategic maritime position, Tyre was a powerful city-state that played a crucial role in the ancient Near East. The Bible provides a detailed account of Tyre's rise to prominence and its subsequent judgment due to its pride and misuse of its God-given opportunities and privileges.

Historical and Geographical Context

Tyre was situated in what is now modern-day Lebanon. It consisted of two parts: a mainland settlement and an island city, which was renowned for its fortifications and harbors. Tyre's prosperity was largely due to its skilled seafarers and traders, who established colonies and trade networks across the Mediterranean. The city was famous for its production of purple dye, a luxury item in the ancient world.

Biblical References and Prophecies

The Bible frequently mentions Tyre, highlighting its interactions with Israel and its eventual downfall. In the Old Testament, Tyre is noted for its relationship with King David and King Solomon. Hiram, the king of Tyre, provided materials and craftsmen for the construction of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 5:1-12). This alliance underscores Tyre's significant role and the opportunities it had to acknowledge the God of Israel.

However, Tyre's pride and self-reliance led to its judgment. The prophet Isaiah prophesied against Tyre, foretelling its destruction due to its arrogance and idolatry: "The LORD of Hosts has planned it, to defile all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the renowned of the earth" (Isaiah 23:9). Similarly, Ezekiel delivered a series of oracles against Tyre, condemning its king for claiming divine status and predicting the city's downfall: "Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, 'I am a god,'... therefore I will bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations" (Ezekiel 28:2, 7).

New Testament Allusions

In the New Testament, Jesus references Tyre in His teachings, using it as an example of judgment. In Matthew 11:21-22 , Jesus rebukes the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, stating that if the miracles performed in them had been done in Tyre and Sidon, those cities would have repented long ago. This comparison highlights the greater accountability of those who have witnessed God's works firsthand.

Theological Implications

Tyre's narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities that come with privilege and opportunity. Despite its initial cooperation with Israel and access to divine truth, Tyre's eventual pride and moral decay led to its downfall. The biblical account of Tyre underscores the principle that nations and individuals are judged according to the light they have received and their response to it.

The account of Tyre is a reminder of the importance of humility, repentance, and the proper use of God-given resources and opportunities. It illustrates the biblical theme that pride precedes destruction and that true wisdom lies in acknowledging and submitting to the sovereignty of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 11:21,22
Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 10:13,14
Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... not only rescued Sidon from the dominion of Tyre, but had ... Bartatua is, according
to Winckler's ... This rebuilding of the ancient city certainly displeased and no ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Egypt
... army entered Thebes, the No or "City" of Amon ... along the coast of Palestine and occupied
Tyre and Sidon ... oppressed or taken bribes, had not judged wrongfully, had ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Caesar Fell Down.
... in nominating one of its archbishops at Tyre, as the ... he did this by supporting two
persons judged to be ... So he banished Elias from the holy city to Evila and ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter ii caesar fell down.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... According to the scholiast on Nicander, the word "Pedasos ... when he had once tested
it, judged it prudent not to ... The Phoenicians of Tyre and Sidon had too many ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... the passage refers to the foundation of a city; and if ... According to this legend Astyages
had no male heirs, and ... Tyre had led a far from peaceful existence ever ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Sozomen as Author.
... say: "I leave their doctrines to be judged by those ... Epistle of Constantine to the
Synod of Tyre (ii.28 ... people of the Catholic Church of the city of Alexandria ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/part ii sozomen as author.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the city, and told it, all the city cried out. ... routes leading in the direction of
Damascus, Tyre, and Coele ... Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; "and he judged Israel in ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... This ancient city, seated on the banks of the ... hunted big game, including the lion,
according to the ... hastened to anticipate his demands"Tyre, Sidon, Byblos ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... even all the enemies of Christ, shall be judged; for then ... him; and is so far from
being according to the ... as Samson carried away the gates of the city (Judges 16 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... were the servants of Hiram, king of Tyre, and the ... the foundations of the wall of
the city, as well ... in charity we should not be stingy, but, according to the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm