6865. Tsor
Lexical Summary
Tsor: Tyre

Original Word: צֹר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Tsor
Pronunciation: tsore
Phonetic Spelling: (tsore)
KJV: Tyre, Tyrus
NASB: Tyre
Word Origin: [the same as H6864 (צּוֹר - flint)]

1. a rock
2. Tsor, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Tyre, Tyrus

Or Tsowr {tsore}; the same as tsor; a rock; Tsor, a place in Palestine -- Tyre, Tyrus.

see HEBREW tsor

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
a Phoenician city
NASB Translation
Tyre (42).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. צֹר, צוֺר proper name, of a location Τυρος: Tyre, famous Phoenician city (Phoenician צר; Assyrian ‚urru, so Tel Amarna; Egyptian Da-(ï)ra, Da-ru WMMAs.u.Eur.185); — צֹר 2 Samuel 24:7 32t., צוֺר 1 Kings 5:15 8t. (Gi); — city of Hiram, friend of David and Solomon 2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:15; 1 Kings 9:11,12; 1 Chronicles 14:1; 2Chron 2:2; 2 Chronicles 2:10; of artif. Hiram 1 Kings 7:13; בַּתצֹֿר Psalm 45:13 of city personified (another view in Che); ׳צ also in name of Phoenician fotress, ׳מִבְצַרצֿ 2 Samuel 24:7, ׳צ ׳עִיר מ Joshua 19:29 (P); threatened by prophets Amos 1:9,10 and (with especially reference to commercial greatness) Isaiah 23:1 (מַשָׂא צֹר), Isaiah 23:5; Isaiah 23:8; Isaiah 23:15; Isaiah 23:15; Isaiah 23:17; Jeremiah 25:22 (מַלְכֵיצֹֿר), Jeremiah 27:3 (מֶלֶךְ צֹר), Jeremiah 47:4; Ezekiel 26:2,3,4,7,15; Ezekiel 27:2,3(twice in verse); Ezekiel 27:8,32; Ezekiel 28:2 (נְגִיד צֹר), Ezekiel 28:12 (מֶלֶךְ צוֺר); besieged by Nebuch. Ezekiel 29:18 (twice in verse); compare Zechariah 9:2,3; Joel 4:4; Psalm 83:8 (׳ישְׁבֵי צ); of Tyrians as proselytes Psalm 87:4 (predict.); — לְצוֺר Hosea 9:13 is probably corrupt, read לָצוֺד or לָצַיִד ᵐ5 We GASm, compare Now. — ׳צ often + צִידוֺן q. v.; — see, on Tyre, PietschmPhön. 60 ff. RobBR ii. 461 ff. de LuynesVoyage à la Mer Morte (1874) i. 28 ff., and Pl xiii-xviii BdPal. 3 (1898), 307 ff: —

Topical Lexicon
Geographical Setting

Tyre lay on the Mediterranean coast of Phoenicia, about twenty-five miles south of Sidon and thirty-five miles north of Carmel. In Old Testament times it comprised an original mainland town (often called “Old Tyre”) and, just offshore, a rocky island fortress surrounded by harbors. This dual location helps explain the biblical emphasis on her natural security (Isaiah 23:4; Ezekiel 26:17). Her proximity to Israel made her both a neighbor in trade and, at times, a spiritual snare.

Historical Sketch

1. Patriarchal and Conquest Eras

Tyre is not named in Genesis, but its commerce is already implied in the table of nations (Genesis 10:15–18, “Sidon” and “Heth”). The first explicit mention appears in Joshua 19:29 when Tyre (“the fortified city of Tyre”) becomes the northern limit of Asher’s inheritance. Yet Israel never subdued the Phoenician coast; Tyre remained Gentile throughout the Old Testament.

2. United Monarchy

Hiram king of Tyre forged a warm alliance with David (2 Samuel 5:11) and Solomon (1 Kings 5:1–12). He supplied cedar, cypress, gold, and skilled artisans for the temple and palace. Political friendship, however, did not lead Tyre to embrace the covenant Lord.

3. Divided Monarchy to Exile

Tyre’s mercantile reach expanded vastly (Ezekiel 27 describes commerce with at least thirty nations). Her pride swelled accordingly (Ezekiel 28:2). Meanwhile she committed grievous sins—handing over whole communities to Edom as slaves (Amos 1:9–10; Joel 3:4–6) and gloating at Jerusalem’s downfall (Ezekiel 26:2). Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre for thirteen years (Ezekiel 29:18), destroying the mainland portion but failing to capture the island. The city’s ultimate toppling awaited Alexander the Great (332 BC), who scraped her rubble into the sea to build a causeway—fulfilling Ezekiel 26:4–12 with striking precision.

Tyre in Israel’s Story

• Provision for the Temple (1 Kings 5) demonstrates God’s use of Gentile wealth for His purposes (compare Isaiah 60:5–9).
• Alliance with Hiram shows the possibility—and limits—of peaceful coexistence with pagan powers.
• Jezebel, though labeled “daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians,” almost certainly carried Tyrian influence into Israel (1 Kings 16:31), illustrating the peril of unequally yoked partnerships.

Prophetic Oracles

Isaiah 23, Jeremiah 25:22; 27:3; 47:4, Ezekiel 26–28, Joel 3:4–8, Amos 1:9–10, Zechariah 9:2–4, and Psalm 83:7 all pronounce judgment upon Tyre. Key emphases:

• Pride in impregnable defenses (Isaiah 23:4; Ezekiel 28:2, “I sit on the throne of a god”).
• Unrighteous merchandising (Ezekiel 27:3, 27:16–24).
• Slave trafficking of Judah (Joel 3:6).
• Rejoicing at Jerusalem’s calamity (Ezekiel 26:2).
• God’s sovereignty over the nations—He raises and removes maritime superpowers.

Representative Quotations

Ezekiel 26:4–5

“I will scrape away her soil from her and make her a bare rock. She will become a place to spread nets in the sea.”

Amos 1:9

“For three transgressions of Tyre, even for four, I will not turn back My wrath, because they delivered up a whole community of captives to Edom and failed to keep a covenant of brotherhood.”

Psalm 45:12

“The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; men of wealth will seek your favor.”

Zechariah 9:3–4

“Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust… But behold, the Lord will dispossess her.”

Symbolic and Theological Themes

1. Wealth without worship. Tyre epitomizes material success detached from covenant loyalty.
2. Pride that challenges God. The prince of Tyre in Ezekiel 28 stands as a human picture of satanic arrogance.
3. Judgment leading to missionary hope. Isaiah 23:17–18 envisions Tyre’s profits being “set apart to the LORD,” anticipating Gentile inclusion.

Messianic Foreshadowings

Psalm 45:12 and Isaiah 60:9 point to foreign treasure streaming to the Davidic King—the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, to whom men and goods from every nation will willingly come (Revelation 21:24–26).

New Testament Echoes

Jesus ministered in the “region of Tyre and Sidon” (Matthew 15:21; Mark 7:24), where a Syrophoenician woman displayed remarkable faith. The Lord’s remark, “It will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you” (Matthew 11:22), shows that even a city renowned for pride could still repent. Christian believers later heard the testimony of disciples from Tyre (Acts 21:3–6), indicating an early church presence.

Lessons for Ministry

• Proclaim Christ without envy of worldly affluence; God will one day claim every treasure.
• Guard against alliances that dilute devotion (cf. Jezebel’s legacy).
• Trust God’s timetable: seemingly unassailable strongholds fall when the Sovereign decrees.
• Extend the gospel to modern “Tyres”—centers of finance and culture—believing some will respond like the Syrophoenician woman.

Selected Old Testament Occurrences (about forty-two total)

Joshua 19:29

2 Samuel 5:11

1 Kings 5:1, 1 Kings 5:7, 1 Kings 5:10, 1 Kings 5:18; 1 Kings 7:13; 1 Kings 9:11

2 Chronicles 2:3, 2 Chronicles 2:11; 2 Chronicles 8:18

Psalm 45:12; Psalm 83:7; Psalm 87:4

Isaiah 23:1, 4, 5, 8, 15, 17

Jeremiah 25:22; Jeremiah 27:3; Jeremiah 47:4

Ezekiel 26:2-21; 27:2-32; 28:2-19; 29:18

Joel 3:4-8

Amos 1:9-10

Zechariah 9:2-4

Forms and Transliterations
וְצ֣וֹר וצור כְצ֔וֹר כצור לְצ֑וֹר לְצ֖וֹר לְצ֗וֹר לְצֹ֔ר לְצֹר֙ לצור לצר מִצֹּ֔ר מִצֹּֽר׃ מצר מצר׃ צ֑וֹר צ֕וֹר צ֤וֹר צֹ֑ר צֹ֔ר צֹ֖ר צֹ֗ר צֹ֛ר צֹ֜ר צֹ֠ר צֹ֣ר צֹ֥ר צֹ֨ר ׀ צֹּ֤ר צֹֽר׃ צֹר֙ צֽוֹר׃ צוֹר֙ צור צור׃ צר צר׃ cheTzor ḵə·ṣō·wr ḵəṣōwr lə·ṣō·wr lə·ṣōr ləṣōr ləṣōwr leTzor miṣ·ṣōr miṣṣōr mitzTzor ṣō·wr ṣōr ṣōwr Tzor veTzor wə·ṣō·wr wəṣōwr
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 19:29
HEB: עִ֖יר מִבְצַר־ צֹ֑ר וְשָׁ֤ב הַגְּבוּל֙
NAS: city of Tyre; then the border
KJV: city Tyre; and the coast
INT: city the fortified of Tyre turned the border

2 Samuel 5:11
HEB: חִירָ֨ם מֶֽלֶךְ־ צֹ֥ר מַלְאָכִים֮ אֶל־
NAS: king of Tyre sent
KJV: And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers
INT: Hiram king of Tyre messengers to

2 Samuel 24:7
HEB: וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ מִבְצַר־ צֹ֔ר וְכָל־ עָרֵ֥י
NAS: to the fortress of Tyre and to all
KJV: to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities
INT: and came to the fortress of Tyre all the cities

1 Kings 5:1
HEB: חִירָ֨ם מֶֽלֶךְ־ צ֤וֹר אֶת־ עֲבָדָיו֙
NAS: king of Tyre sent
KJV: king of Tyre sent
INT: now Hiram king of Tyre his servants to

1 Kings 7:13
HEB: אֶת־ חִירָ֖ם מִצֹּֽר׃
NAS: and brought Hiram from Tyre.
KJV: and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.
INT: and brought Hiram Tyre

1 Kings 9:11
HEB: חִירָ֣ם מֶֽלֶךְ־ צֹ֠ר נִשָּׂ֨א אֶת־
NAS: king of Tyre had supplied
KJV: the king of Tyre had furnished
INT: (Hiram king of Tyre had supplied Solomon

1 Kings 9:12
HEB: וַיֵּצֵ֤א חִירָם֙ מִצֹּ֔ר לִרְאוֹת֙ אֶת־
NAS: came out from Tyre to see
KJV: came out from Tyre to see
INT: came Hiram Tyre to see the cities

1 Chronicles 14:1
HEB: ק) מֶֽלֶךְ־ צֹ֥ר מַלְאָכִים֮ אֶל־
NAS: Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers
KJV: Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers
INT: Hiram king of Tyre messengers to

2 Chronicles 2:3
HEB: חוּרָ֥ם מֶֽלֶךְ־ צֹ֖ר לֵאמֹ֑ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
NAS: the king of Tyre, saying,
KJV: the king of Tyre, saying,
INT: Huram the king of Tyre saying you

2 Chronicles 2:11
HEB: חוּרָ֤ם מֶֽלֶךְ־ צֹר֙ בִּכְתָ֔ב וַיִּשְׁלַ֖ח
NAS: king of Tyre, answered
KJV: the king of Tyre answered
INT: Huram king of Tyre A letter sent

Psalm 45:12
HEB: וּבַֽת־ צֹ֨ר ׀ בְּ֭מִנְחָה פָּנַ֥יִךְ
NAS: The daughter of Tyre [will come] with a gift;
KJV: And the daughter of Tyre [shall be there] with a gift;
INT: the daughter of Tyre A gift your favor

Psalm 83:7
HEB: עִם־ יֹ֥שְׁבֵי צֽוֹר׃
NAS: with the inhabitants of Tyre;
KJV: with the inhabitants of Tyre;
INT: with the inhabitants of Tyre

Psalm 87:4
HEB: הִנֵּ֤ה פְלֶ֣שֶׁת וְצ֣וֹר עִם־ כּ֑וּשׁ
NAS: Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia:
KJV: me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia;
INT: Behold Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia

Isaiah 23:1
HEB: מַשָּׂ֖א צֹ֑ר הֵילִ֣ילוּ ׀ אֳנִיּ֣וֹת
NAS: The oracle concerning Tyre. Wail,
KJV: The burden of Tyre. Howl,
INT: the oracle Tyre Wail ships

Isaiah 23:5
HEB: יָחִ֖ילוּ כְּשֵׁ֥מַע צֹֽר׃
NAS: at the report of Tyre.
KJV: at the report of Tyre.
INT: anguish the report of Tyre

Isaiah 23:8
HEB: זֹ֔את עַל־ צֹ֖ר הַמַּֽעֲטִירָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר
NAS: against Tyre, the bestower of crowns,
KJV: Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning
INT: likewise against Tyre the bestower Whose

Isaiah 23:15
HEB: הַה֔וּא וְנִשְׁכַּ֤חַת צֹר֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה
NAS: Now in that day Tyre will be forgotten
KJV: And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten
INT: he will be forgotten Tyre seventy years

Isaiah 23:15
HEB: שָׁנָה֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לְצֹ֔ר כְּשִׁירַ֖ת הַזּוֹנָֽה׃
NAS: it will happen to Tyre as [in] the song
KJV: years shall Tyre sing
INT: years will happen to Tyre as the song of the harlot

Isaiah 23:17
HEB: יְהוָה֙ אֶת־ צֹ֔ר וְשָׁבָ֖ה לְאֶתְנַנָּ֑ה
NAS: will visit Tyre. Then she will go back
KJV: will visit Tyre, and she shall turn
INT: will visit the LORD Tyre will go to her harlot's

Jeremiah 25:22
HEB: כָּל־ מַלְכֵי־ צֹ֔ר וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־
NAS: the kings of Tyre, all
KJV: And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings
INT: and all the kings of Tyre all the kings

Jeremiah 27:3
HEB: וְאֶל־ מֶ֥לֶךְ צֹ֖ר וְאֶל־ מֶ֣לֶךְ
NAS: to the king of Tyre and to the king
KJV: and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king
INT: to the king of Tyre and to the king

Jeremiah 47:4
HEB: פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים לְהַכְרִ֤ית לְצֹר֙ וּלְצִיד֔וֹן כֹּ֖ל
NAS: To cut off from Tyre and Sidon
KJV: [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon
INT: the Philistines to cut Tyre and Sidon Every

Ezekiel 26:2
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ אָ֨מְרָה צֹּ֤ר עַל־ יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
NAS: because Tyre has said
KJV: of man, because that Tyrus hath said
INT: after said Tyre concerning Jerusalem

Ezekiel 26:3
HEB: הִנְנִ֥י עָלַ֖יִךְ צֹ֑ר וְהַעֲלֵיתִ֤י עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
NAS: I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring
KJV: GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many
INT: behold I am against Tyre will bring against

Ezekiel 26:4
HEB: וְשִׁחֲת֞וּ חֹמ֣וֹת צֹ֗ר וְהָֽרְסוּ֙ מִגְדָּלֶ֔יהָ
NAS: the walls of Tyre and break down
KJV: the walls of Tyrus, and break down
INT: will destroy the walls of Tyre and break her towers

42 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6865
42 Occurrences


ḵə·ṣō·wr — 1 Occ.
lə·ṣōr — 5 Occ.
miṣ·ṣōr — 3 Occ.
ṣōr — 32 Occ.
wə·ṣō·wr — 1 Occ.

6864
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