Topical Bible: Tyre: City of Pleasant Site of

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Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city, is frequently mentioned in the Bible and holds significant historical and theological importance. Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in what is now modern-day Lebanon, Tyre was renowned for its strategic position and its role as a major maritime and commercial hub.

Biblical References and Historical Context

Tyre is first mentioned in the Bible in the context of its relationship with Israel during the reign of King David. Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent cedar logs and skilled workers to assist David in building his palace (2 Samuel 5:11). This alliance continued under Solomon, who also received materials and craftsmen from Hiram for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:1-12). The cooperation between Israel and Tyre during this period highlights the city's significance as a center of trade and craftsmanship.

The city is described as a "fortified city" (Joshua 19:29) and is often associated with wealth and pride. Ezekiel 27 provides a detailed account of Tyre's extensive trade network, listing various goods and trading partners, which underscores its economic power and influence. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of Tyre's prosperity, referring to it as a "city of revelry" (Isaiah 23:7).

Prophetic Judgments

Despite its prominence, Tyre is the subject of several prophetic judgments in the Bible. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all pronounce God's judgment against Tyre for its pride and self-sufficiency. Ezekiel 26-28 contains a series of prophecies against Tyre, predicting its downfall and destruction. Ezekiel 26:14 declares, "I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I the LORD have spoken, declares the Lord GOD."

The fulfillment of these prophecies is historically noted in the conquests by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and later by Alexander the Great, who famously besieged and conquered the city by building a causeway to the island fortress of Tyre.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

In biblical literature, Tyre often symbolizes human pride and the futility of relying on wealth and earthly power. The lament over the king of Tyre in Ezekiel 28:12-19 is sometimes interpreted as a dual reference to both the earthly king and a symbolic representation of Satan's fall from grace, due to its language of pride and downfall.

Jesus also mentions Tyre in the New Testament, using it as a point of comparison to illustrate the hardness of heart of the cities that witnessed His miracles. In Matthew 11:21-22 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."

Cultural and Economic Influence

Tyre's influence extended beyond its immediate region, as it played a crucial role in the spread of Phoenician culture and the development of the ancient Mediterranean world. The city was known for its production of purple dye, made from the murex shellfish, which was highly prized in antiquity. This dye became a symbol of royalty and wealth, further cementing Tyre's reputation as a city of luxury and opulence.

In summary, Tyre's biblical narrative is one of both grandeur and judgment, serving as a testament to the transient nature of human achievement and the sovereignty of God over nations and history.

Nave's Topical Index

Hosea 9:13
Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Land and the People.
... to the ridge of Carmel, the coast of Tyre and Sidon ... East and the West for the holy
city, "the joy ... midst of vines and fig-trees, are nevertheless very pleasant. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm

The Story of the Baptist, from his Last Testimony to Jesus to his ...
... and after that into the borders of Tyre and Sidon ... of Per??a must be distinguished
from another city of that ... himself and all that made life pleasant, and the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxviii the story of.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... to Yuzgat crosses the river not far from the site shown here ... built for him at the
gate of the city, and he ... only rescued Sidon from the dominion of Tyre, but had ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... its god El; Sidon and its suburbs"Tyre: its foundation ... excepting to the god of their
city, assumed the ... Brugsch believed he could identify its site with that ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... trusting to the strength of his walled city, refused to ... the Pharaoh's subjects might
have been a pleasant one, had ... of Egypt ten men to defend Tyre, on another ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... or possibly even the regular trading ships of Tyre and Sidon ... secret agents, to go
from city to city and stir up ... it has an agreeable taste and is pleasant to eat ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The walls of the city fell of themselves at the blowing of the brazen ... and Zebulon,
ventured as far north as the borders of Tyre and Sidon ... The site of the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... Tyre had led a far from peaceful existence ever ... [Illustration: 059.jpg VIEW OF THE
SITE AND RUINS ... not sufficient troops to defend the entire city, he evacuated ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm