Topical Bible: Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: The Ruins of the First City to be Employed in Making A

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Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city, holds a significant place in biblical prophecy and history. Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Tyre was renowned for its wealth, maritime prowess, and as a center of trade and commerce. The city was divided into two parts: the mainland settlement and the island city. Throughout the Bible, Tyre is frequently mentioned, particularly in the context of prophecies concerning its downfall and subsequent use of its ruins.

Prophecies Against Tyre

The prophecies against Tyre are primarily found in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos. These prophecies foretell the destruction of Tyre due to its pride, idolatry, and opposition to God's people.

1. Isaiah's Prophecy: Isaiah 23 speaks of the fall of Tyre, describing it as a city whose merchants were princes and whose traders were the honored of the earth. The prophecy foretells a period of desolation for seventy years, after which Tyre would return to its trade but would ultimately serve the purposes of the Lord.

2. Jeremiah's Prophecy: In Jeremiah 25:22 and 27:3, Tyre is included among the nations that would drink the cup of God's wrath. Jeremiah 47:4 also mentions the destruction of Tyre's allies, the Philistines, indicating the broader scope of judgment.

3. Ezekiel's Prophecy: Ezekiel 26-28 provides a detailed account of Tyre's impending destruction. Ezekiel 26:3-5 states, "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and make her a bare rock. She will become a place to spread nets in the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. She will become plunder for the nations." This prophecy vividly describes the complete devastation of Tyre, emphasizing its transformation into a bare rock and a place for fishermen to spread their nets.

4. Amos's Prophecy: Amos 1:9-10 condemns Tyre for its transgressions, particularly for delivering entire communities into exile and breaking a covenant of brotherhood. The prophecy declares that fire would consume the walls of Tyre.

The Ruins of the First City

The fulfillment of these prophecies is historically significant. The mainland city of Tyre was besieged and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon around 573 BC. However, the island city remained intact until the conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. Alexander's siege of Tyre is particularly notable for the use of the ruins of the mainland city. To reach the island fortress, Alexander constructed a causeway using debris from the destroyed mainland city, fulfilling the prophecy that the ruins would be employed in making a path to the island.

Ezekiel 26:12 further emphasizes this: "They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise. They will break down your walls and demolish your fine houses, and they will throw your stones, timber, and rubble into the sea." This passage underscores the literal fulfillment of the prophecy, as the materials of the first city were indeed cast into the sea to create the causeway.

The prophecies concerning Tyre serve as a testament to the sovereignty of God over nations and His ability to bring about His purposes through historical events. Tyre's downfall and the subsequent use of its ruins illustrate the accuracy and divine inspiration of biblical prophecy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 26:12
And they shall make a spoil of your riches, and make a prey of your merchandise: and they shall break down your walls, and destroy your pleasant houses: and they shall lay your stones and your timber and your dust in the middle of the water.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... its course, over Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon ... of duty, adding glorious promises
respecting the future ... The prophecies of Zechariah, containing as they do ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... made out by separating Sidon from Tyre to which ... of his countrymen put together his
prophecies, prefixing to them introductory notices respecting the author. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of Judah and the submission of Tyre; the successes ... he dictated a summary of all the
prophecies delivered by ... it had passed save a pathway of ruins, not easily ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm