How does Jeremiah 25:22 connect with prophecies about Tyre in Ezekiel 26? Text Snapshot “all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea”—named among the nations forced to drink the cup of the LORD’s wrath. “Behold, I am against you, O Tyre… I will raise up many nations against you… They will destroy the walls of Tyre… For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘From the north I will bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon… He will plunder your wealth and pillage your merchandise… throw your stones, timber, and rubble into the sea.’” Historical Flow • c. 605 BC — Jeremiah in Jerusalem lists Tyre among nations to face Babylon (Jeremiah 25). • c. 587/586 BC — Ezekiel in exile receives a focused oracle specifying how Babylon will pound Tyre (Ezekiel 26). • 585–573 BC — Nebuchadnezzar besieges mainland Tyre for 13 years, fulfilling both prophecies’ core event. • 332 BC — Alexander scrapes the ruins into the sea to build his causeway to the island city, mirroring Ezekiel 26:4, 12. Jeremiah’s Broad Sweep, Ezekiel’s Close-Up —Cup of wrath passed to “all the kings of Tyre” —Detailed siege by Babylon named —Judgment mentioned in a single line —Step-by-step destruction, plunder, desolation —Emphasis: inevitability —Emphasis: method and aftermath Shared Themes • Sovereign judgment: both texts portray Tyre’s fate as decreed by the LORD, not random geopolitics. • Babylon as instrument: implicit in Jeremiah 25, explicit in Ezekiel 26:7. • Many nations: Jeremiah 25’s list and Ezekiel 26:3 harmonize—successive waves batter Tyre. • Complete desolation: Jeremiah 25’s cup imagery anticipates Ezekiel 26’s bare-rock picture. Literal Fulfillment on the Ground • Nebuchadnezzar broke the mainland city, aligning with both prophets. • Alexander’s causeway used debris “thrown into the sea,” echoing Ezekiel 26 while confirming Jeremiah 25’s promise that the cup would be fully drained. • Tyre never regained its former mercantile glory (cf. Isaiah 23; Zechariah 9:3-4). Wider Biblical Echoes • Isaiah 23 predicts Tyre’s humbling but future service to the LORD. • Amos 1:9-10 adds fire and devastation for Tyre’s betrayal. • Psalm 83:7 lists Tyre among conspirators against Israel, underscoring longstanding enmity answered by divine justice. Takeaways for Today • God’s word stands unchanged across decades and through shifting empires. • Specific, verifiable details in Ezekiel confirm Jeremiah’s sweeping announcement—Scripture interprets Scripture and history validates both. • Nations and individuals alike remain accountable to the King who decides when the cup of wrath or blessing is passed (Revelation 14:10; 16:19). |
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