Tyre: The Jews Condemned for Purchasing from the People of, on The
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Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, played a significant role in biblical history and prophecy. Known for its wealth, maritime prowess, and vibrant trade, Tyre was a hub of commerce and culture. However, its interactions with the Israelites were not always positive, and the city is often mentioned in the context of judgment and condemnation in the Scriptures.

Historical Context

Tyre was a prominent city-state in Phoenicia, renowned for its skilled artisans, traders, and seafarers. The city was divided into two parts: the mainland settlement and the island fortress. Tyre's strategic location and its control over maritime trade routes contributed to its prosperity and influence in the ancient Near East.

Biblical Interactions with Israel

Throughout the Old Testament, Tyre is frequently mentioned in relation to Israel. King Hiram of Tyre was a notable ally of King David and King Solomon, providing materials and craftsmen for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:1-12). Despite these positive interactions, the relationship between Tyre and Israel was complex and often fraught with tension.

Condemnation for Trade Practices

The prophets of Israel condemned Tyre for its unethical trade practices and its role in the slave trade. The prophet Joel specifically denounces Tyre for selling the people of Judah and Jerusalem into slavery: "Moreover, what are you to Me, O Tyre and Sidon and all the regions of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your retaliation upon your heads. For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples. You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland" (Joel 3:4-6).

This condemnation highlights the moral and spiritual failings of Tyre, as they prioritized profit over righteousness, exploiting the people of God for economic gain. The prophet Amos also speaks against Tyre, stating, "This is what the LORD says: 'For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole community of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood'" (Amos 1:9).

Judgment and Prophecy

The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel pronounced severe judgments against Tyre, foretelling its downfall due to its pride and iniquity. Isaiah prophesied, "The LORD of Hosts has planned it, to defile all the glorious beauty, to disgrace all the honored of the earth. Overflow your land like the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer a harbor. The LORD has stretched out His hand over the sea; He has made kingdoms tremble. He has given a command concerning Canaan to destroy its strongholds" (Isaiah 23:9-11).

Ezekiel's prophecy is particularly detailed, describing Tyre's destruction and the lamentation over its fall: "They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise. They will tear down your walls and demolish your fine houses, and throw your stones, timber, and rubble into the sea" (Ezekiel 26:12). This prophecy was fulfilled when Alexander the Great besieged and destroyed the city in 332 BC.

Moral and Theological Implications

The condemnation of Tyre serves as a warning against the dangers of pride, materialism, and the exploitation of others for personal gain. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of justice, righteousness, and faithfulness to God's covenant. Tyre's downfall illustrates the consequences of turning away from these divine principles and serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice in the affairs of nations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Nehemiah 13:16
There dwelled men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked ...
... he had no yokes with him, he condemned the drivers ... whereby we have discovered that
both the Jews and the ... had brought the place to this state, he named it Tyre. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... deputation to attend the games at Tyre, with money ... Jehonathan the High-Priest and
the Jews.' It was ... that, according to tradition, Simeon even condemned his own ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... in the colony of Lambesa, many years ago condemned for many ... being the day on which
the Jews were commanded ... any who are more diligent in purchasing entrance to ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Resources
Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | GotQuestions.org

Is the king of Tyre prophecy in Ezekiel 28 referring to Satan? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the city of Sidon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Tyre: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Tyre

Tyre or Tyrus

Tyre: Antiquity of

Tyre: Called: The Crowning City

Tyre: Called: The Daughter of Tarshish

Tyre: Called: The Daughter of Zidon

Tyre: Called: The Joyous City

Tyre: Called: The Renowned City

Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Beauty

Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Commerce

Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Wealth

Tyre: Celebrated For: Strength and Beauty of Its Ships

Tyre: Christ was Followed by Many From

Tyre: Christ: Alluded to the Depravity of

Tyre: Christ: Depended for Provision Upon Galilee

Tyre: Christ: Paul Found Disciples At

Tyre: Christ: Visited the Coasts of

Tyre: City of Antiquity of

Tyre: City of Besieged by Nebuchadnezzar

Tyre: City of Commerce of

Tyre: City of Fortified

Tyre: City of Heals the Daughter of the Non-Jewish, Syrophenician Woman Near

Tyre: City of Jesus Goes to the Coasts of

Tyre: City of Merchants of

Tyre: City of Multitudes From, Come to Hear Jesus, and to be Healed of Their Diseases

Tyre: City of On the Northern Boundary of the Tribe of Asher

Tyre: City of Paul Visits

Tyre: City of Pleasant Site of

Tyre: City of Prophecies Relating To

Tyre: City of Riches of

Tyre: City of The Hostility of Herod Agrippa I Toward

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

Tyre: David and Solomon Formed Alliances With

Tyre: Governed by Kings

Tyre: Inhabitants of Mercantile Men

Tyre: Inhabitants of Proud and Haughty

Tyre: Inhabitants of Sea-Faring Men

Tyre: Inhabitants of Self-Conceited

Tyre: Inhabitants of Superstitious

Tyre: Inhabitants of Wicked

Tyre: Insular Position of

Tyre: Kingdom of Hiram, King of

Tyre: Kingdom of Men and Materials Sent From, to Solomon, for the Erection of the Temple and his Castles

Tyre: Kingdom of Sends Material to David for his Palace

Tyre: Often Confederated Against the Jews and Rejoiced in Their

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: All Nations to be Terrified at Its Destruction

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Envy Against the Jews a Cause of Its Destruction

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Inhabitants of, to Emigrated to Other Countries

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Its Inhabitants to be Sold As Slaves, As a Recompence For

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Its Restoration to Commercial Greatness After Seventy Years

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Its Second Destruction by the Macedonians

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Never to Recover Its Greatness

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Pride a Cause of Its Destruction

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: The King of Babylon to be Rewarded With the Spoil of Egypt

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

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: To be Destroyed by the King of Babylon

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: To be Scraped As the Top of a Rock, and to be a Place For

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: To Lie Waste and be Forgotten for Seventy Years

Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: To Participated in the Blessings of the Gospel

Tyre: Propitiated the Favour of Herod

Tyre: Soldiers of, Supplied by Persia

Tyre: Strongly Fortified

Tyre: Supplied: A Master-Builder for the Temple

Tyre: Supplied: Seamen for Solomon's Navy

Tyre: Supplied: Stones and Timber for Building the Temple

Tyre: Supplied: Timber for Rebuilding the Temple and City

Tyre: The Jews Condemned for Purchasing from the People of, on The

Related Terms

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Tyre (59 Occurrences)

Zer (1 Occurrence)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kedesh (12 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)

Gained (66 Occurrences)

Ivory (13 Occurrences)

Isle (15 Occurrences)

Island (16 Occurrences)

Tyropoeon

Togarmah (4 Occurrences)

Elishah (3 Occurrences)

Mason

Permission (23 Occurrences)

Purple (54 Occurrences)

Bed-chambers (3 Occurrences)

Agriculture

Artificers (15 Occurrences)

Selling (23 Occurrences)

Sidonians (16 Occurrences)

Senir (4 Occurrences)

Ruler (329 Occurrences)

Sought (199 Occurrences)

Bitter (203 Occurrences)

Asking (111 Occurrences)

Jehu (63 Occurrences)

Hostility (29 Occurrences)

Tyre: Supplied: Timber for Rebuilding the Temple and City
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