Topical Bible: Tyre: City of Commerce of

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Topical Encyclopedia

Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a significant center of commerce and trade. Located on the Mediterranean coast in what is now modern-day Lebanon, Tyre was renowned for its wealth, maritime prowess, and skilled artisans. The city's influence extended throughout the ancient Near East, making it a pivotal player in the economic and political landscapes of biblical times.

Historical and Geographical Context

Tyre was originally composed of two parts: a mainland settlement and an island city. The island portion, fortified and surrounded by the sea, became the more prominent of the two, especially during times of conflict. Tyre's strategic location and its natural harbors facilitated its rise as a major trading hub. The city was famous for its production of purple dye, known as Tyrian purple, which was highly prized in antiquity.

Biblical References

The Bible references Tyre in various contexts, highlighting its commercial success and eventual downfall. In the Old Testament, Tyre is often associated with its king, Hiram, who played a significant role in the construction of Solomon's Temple. In 1 Kings 5:1-12, Hiram is described as a friend of King David and a key ally to Solomon, providing cedar wood, craftsmen, and gold for the temple's construction: "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David" (1 Kings 5:1).

The prophets frequently spoke against Tyre, condemning its pride and materialism. Ezekiel 26-28 contains a series of prophecies against Tyre, foretelling its destruction due to its arrogance and self-sufficiency. Ezekiel 28:2-3 states, "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god."

Isaiah also prophesied against Tyre, predicting its downfall and eventual restoration. Isaiah 23:8-9 questions, "Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are renowned in the earth? The LORD of Hosts planned it, to defile all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the renowned of the earth."

New Testament Mentions

In the New Testament, Tyre is mentioned in the context of Jesus' ministry. In Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30, Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, where He encounters a Canaanite woman whose daughter is possessed by a demon. This interaction highlights the reach of Jesus' ministry beyond the Jewish people and into Gentile territories.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

Tyre serves as a symbol of human pride and the fleeting nature of worldly wealth. Its account is a cautionary tale of how material success can lead to spiritual downfall. The biblical narrative of Tyre underscores the sovereignty of God over nations and the ultimate futility of relying on riches and human achievements.

Throughout Scripture, Tyre's rise and fall illustrate the biblical theme of divine judgment and redemption. Despite its initial prosperity and influence, Tyre's eventual destruction serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of humility before God.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 9:26-28
And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
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1 Kings 10:11
And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
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Isaiah 23:1
The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
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Ezekiel 27:1
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
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Ezekiel 28:1-19
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
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Zechariah 9:2
And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
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Acts 21:3
Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
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Library

Introduction.
... and remained secretly in the parts of Tyre and Sidon ... have passed along the stream
of commerce that flowed ... that this interconnexion between the queen city of the ...
/.../burgon/the causes of the corruption of the traditional text/introduction.htm

Results of Transgression
... by building fortified cities at the gateways of commerce. ... the land of Edom." Trained
sailors from Tyre, "with the ... came to be known as "His own city." Matthew 9 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 4 results of transgression.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... in general, that six main arteries of commerce and intercourse ... by priestly and other
pilgrims to the city, and by ... the sea-shore from Egypt up to Tyre, whence a ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Chapter xlix
... toward Sidon." Zebulon faces south; its flank is to be toward the old commercial
city Sidon, prominent long before Tyre. The products of this commerce shall be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

The Seventh Book
... the iniquity of the people in a city is like ... Lord spoke also of the king of Tyre
through his ... filled thy treasuries, from the multitude of commerce hast thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... Asia was to be restored, and the commerce of the ... Meanwhile Tyre was compelled to
purchase peace by an indemnity of ... court after the capture of the city, and the ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... X xviii. The Great City. (Great Babylon). ... Here, that standpoint is God's Land and
City. The Euphrates is indeed a great river, as here stated. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Book 1.
... was this, that they had not any commerce together; but the ... in an island by itself,
to the city, by raising ... relate, that one OEabdemon, a man of Tyre, did solve ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book 1.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... site, history, and commerce of, ii.349, 351; ... His entry into the city, 363-373; ... heals
the Syro?Phoenician's daughter in the borders of Tyre and Sidon, 37-43; ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... king of Gath to David of the city of Ziklag ... and learning among them, their resources,
commerce, exploits, alliances ... of the affairs of Egypt, Tyre, Syria, Assyria ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm