Topical Encyclopedia Nebuchadnezzar II, the renowned king of Babylon, is a significant figure in biblical history, known for his military conquests and the expansion of the Babylonian Empire. While he is most famously associated with the conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile of the Jewish people, his interactions with the city of Tyre are also noteworthy.Historical Context Nebuchadnezzar II reigned from approximately 605 to 562 BC. During his reign, he sought to consolidate and expand his empire, which led him to engage in military campaigns against various city-states and nations in the Near East. Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, was one of his targets. Known for its wealth, maritime prowess, and strategic location, Tyre was a significant power in the region. Siege of Tyre The biblical account of Nebuchadnezzar's campaign against Tyre is primarily found in the book of Ezekiel. The prophet Ezekiel, speaking the word of the LORD, prophesied the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. In Ezekiel 26:7-8 , it is written: "For this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I will bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, from the north, with horses, chariots, cavalry, and a great company of troops. He will ravage your settlements on the mainland with the sword; he will set up siege works against you, build a ramp up to your walls, and raise his shields against you.'" The siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar is believed to have lasted for 13 years, from around 585 to 572 BC. Despite the prolonged effort, the mainland city of Tyre was captured, but the island city remained resilient. The Tyrians managed to withstand the siege by relying on their naval strength and the island's fortifications. Prophetic Fulfillment and Aftermath Ezekiel's prophecy also includes a promise of Tyre's eventual downfall, which is seen as a divine judgment for its pride and opposition to God's people. In Ezekiel 29:18 , the LORD acknowledges the difficulty of the siege: "Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor strenuously against Tyre. Every head was rubbed bare and every shoulder chafed, yet neither he nor his army received wages from Tyre for the labor he expended on it." The prophecy indicates that although Nebuchadnezzar's efforts against Tyre were arduous, he did not gain the expected spoils from the city. Instead, God promised to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar as compensation for his efforts against Tyre (Ezekiel 29:19-20). Significance in Biblical Narrative Nebuchadnezzar's campaign against Tyre is significant in the biblical narrative as it demonstrates the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to use even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes. The account of Tyre's siege serves as a reminder of the futility of human pride and the ultimate authority of God over all earthly powers. While Nebuchadnezzar is often remembered for his role in the Babylonian Exile, his interactions with Tyre highlight the broader scope of his influence and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The account of Tyre's resistance and eventual decline underscores the transient nature of earthly kingdoms in contrast to the eternal kingdom of God. Nave's Topical Index Ezekiel 29:18Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it: Nave's Topical Index Library Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ... Babylon. Demonstration v. --Of Wars. Book 8 Footnotes True Greatness Mark Now, Whether He who Charges us with Having Committed Errors ... The Last King of Judah Book 1. Questions. Conference Between Liberius, Pope of Rome, and the Emperor ... Resources Summary of the Book of Daniel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Jehoiachin in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of the Babylonian Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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