Topical Bible: Tyre: City of Prophecies Relating To

◄ Tyre: City of Prophecies Relating To ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, holds significant importance in biblical history and prophecy. Known for its wealth, maritime prowess, and strategic location, Tyre was a major center of trade and culture in the ancient Near East. The city is frequently mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the context of prophecies delivered by the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others.

Historical Context

Tyre was originally composed of two parts: a mainland settlement and an island city. The island city was renowned for its fortifications and harbors, making it a formidable power in the region. Tyre's prosperity was largely due to its role as a hub for trade and commerce, dealing in goods such as purple dye, glass, and cedar wood. The city's influence extended across the Mediterranean, establishing colonies as far as Carthage in North Africa.

Biblical Prophecies

The Bible contains several prophecies concerning Tyre, many of which focus on its impending judgment due to pride, idolatry, and opposition to God's people. These prophecies are found primarily in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

1. Isaiah's Prophecy: In Isaiah 23, the prophet foretells the downfall of Tyre, describing it as a city whose merchants were princes and whose traders were honored on the earth. Isaiah 23:1 states, "An oracle concerning Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is destroyed, without house or harbor." The prophecy speaks of a period of desolation lasting seventy years, after which Tyre would be restored but ultimately consecrated to the Lord.

2. Jeremiah's Prophecy: Jeremiah also prophesies against Tyre, linking its fate with that of other nations destined for judgment. In Jeremiah 25:22 , Tyre is listed among the kingdoms that will drink the cup of the Lord's wrath, signifying divine retribution.

3. Ezekiel's Prophecy: Ezekiel provides the most detailed prophecy concerning Tyre. In Ezekiel 26-28, the prophet describes the city's destruction by many nations, led by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Ezekiel 26:3-4 declares, "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves. They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers; I will scrape the soil from her and make her a bare rock." Ezekiel further condemns the pride of the city's ruler, likening him to a fallen cherub in Ezekiel 28:12-17.

Fulfillment and Historical Impact

The prophecies against Tyre were fulfilled in stages. Nebuchadnezzar besieged the mainland city for thirteen years, leading to its eventual subjugation. Later, Alexander the Great famously conquered the island city in 332 BC by constructing a causeway, fulfilling Ezekiel's vivid imagery of Tyre being scraped bare like a rock.

The fall of Tyre serves as a powerful testament to the accuracy and authority of biblical prophecy. It illustrates the consequences of pride and opposition to God's purposes, reinforcing the biblical theme of divine sovereignty over the nations. Tyre's account is a reminder of the transient nature of human achievements and the ultimate fulfillment of God's word.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 45:12
And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat your favor.
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Psalm 87:4
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
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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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Jeremiah 25:22
And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,
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Jeremiah 27:1-11
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
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Jeremiah 47:4
Because of the day that comes to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remains: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
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Library

Book 8 Footnotes
... according to the numerous Scripture prophecies thereto relating ... and destroyed that
old and famous city for ever ... island, once connected to Old Tyre itself by Hiram ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... as speaking of the heavenly city, and of ... If, therefore, the prophecies relating to
Judea, and Jerusalem ... the Egyptians, Babylon and the Babylonians, Tyre and the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... The prophet then passes to Tyre, and so he brings this ... How well he fulfilled his
mission his prophecies show, in ... by God to judge "the bloody city" of Jerusalem ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... in its course, over Syria, Philistia, Tyre, Edom, Ammon ... this was the final capture
of the city by the ... to the general analogy of Scripture, prophecies like this ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... conformity with his opinion regarding that city which he ... it certainly follows that
those prophecies also which ... earth, or of the earthly Babylon, Tyre, or Sidon ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Sidon for his seat of government, and Tyre lost by ... Lord will surely deliver us: this
city shall not ... thence into the collection of the prophecies attributed to ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... a few righteous men cannot save a wicked city, when the ... is in a prophecy against
the King of Tyre, in which ... the return, or in any of the prophecies uttered in ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Befell Daniel In Media; And What Prophecies He Delivered ... And How Simon Beat The People
Of Tyre And Ptolemais ... Their Gates Against Him Besieged The City And Took ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

1 Cor. Ii. 1, 2
... neither speech, nor show, nor wealth, nor city, nor nation ... And besides, the prophecies
are of such a kind, as ... Batanea, which is in Syria, was a colony of Tyre. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vi 1 cor ii.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The turn of Tyre came next. ... by the Greek town of Seleucia, and the city of
Nebuchadrezzar ... while the prophet himself was forbidden to utter his prophecies. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm