Topical Encyclopedia 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 13:16There 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 ... Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ... Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ... Resources Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | GotQuestions.orgIs 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 Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Tyre: Called: The Crowning City Tyre: Called: The Daughter of Tarshish Tyre: Called: The Daughter of Zidon 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 Besieged by Nebuchadnezzar 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 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 Pleasant Site of Tyre: City of Prophecies Relating To 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: 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: Kingdom of Hiram, King of 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: 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 |