Topical Bible: Tyre: Called: The Daughter of Tarshish

◄ Tyre: Called: The Daughter of Tarshish ►

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Introduction:
Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city, holds a significant place in biblical history and prophecy. Known for its wealth, maritime prowess, and strategic location, Tyre is often mentioned in the Scriptures. One of its notable titles is "The Daughter of Tarshish," a designation that reflects its commercial and cultural connections.

Biblical References:
The city of Tyre is frequently mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the prophetic books. Isaiah 23:10 in the Berean Standard Bible states, "Cultivate your land like the Nile, O Daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer a harbor." This passage highlights Tyre's relationship with Tarshish, a region known for its distant trade routes and wealth.

Historical Context:
Tyre was a prominent city-state in ancient Phoenicia, located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was renowned for its skilled sailors and traders, who established far-reaching trade networks. The city's wealth and influence were largely derived from its maritime activities, including the trade of purple dye, glass, and other luxury goods.

Prophetic Significance:
The prophets often spoke of Tyre in the context of judgment and restoration. Ezekiel 27 and 28 provide detailed accounts of Tyre's grandeur and eventual downfall. Ezekiel 27:25-26 describes Tyre's extensive trade: "The ships of Tarshish carried your merchandise. You were filled with heavy cargo in the heart of the sea. Your oarsmen brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will break you to pieces in the heart of the sea."

Isaiah 23 also prophesies the fall of Tyre, emphasizing its reliance on trade and its connections with Tarshish. Isaiah 23:14 declares, "Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your harbor has been destroyed!" This lament underscores the impact of Tyre's destruction on its trading partners.

Cultural and Economic Influence:
Tyre's designation as "The Daughter of Tarshish" reflects its economic and cultural ties with distant lands. Tarshish, often associated with regions such as Spain or Sardinia, was a source of valuable metals and goods. Tyre's ability to engage in long-distance trade contributed to its prosperity and reputation as a hub of commerce.

Spiritual Lessons:
From a theological perspective, Tyre serves as a symbol of human pride and the fleeting nature of worldly wealth. The city's eventual downfall, as prophesied by Isaiah and Ezekiel, serves as a reminder of the consequences of arrogance and the importance of humility before God. Tyre's account encourages believers to place their trust not in material riches but in the eternal promises of God.

Conclusion:
While Tyre's physical splendor has long since faded, its legacy endures through the biblical narrative. As "The Daughter of Tarshish," Tyre's account is a testament to the intricate interplay of commerce, culture, and divine sovereignty in the ancient world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 23:10
Pass through your land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Prophet Jonah.
... makes His abode in the territory of Tyre and Sidon ... of the Canaanitish woman to heal
her daughter, after having ... future faith of which she was called to prefigure ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet jonah.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... the Nahr-el-Kebir, not that river which the Greeks called the Eleutheros ... with their
wonted prudence, hastened to anticipate his demands"Tyre, Sidon, Byblos ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Chapter x
... the case of Babylon there are sister or daughter cities that ... Later Tyre, twenty miles
to the south, distinctly overshadows Sidon ... The Assyrians called them Amurri ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The destruction of Sidon must have allowed Tyre to develop ... and Talmai"and had then
promised his daughter Achsah in ... father-in-law of Moses is called Jethro in ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... lastly, and more especially, the church is called here a ... the kingdom shall come to
the daughter of Jerusalem ... 1-3). There brake he 'the ships of Tarshish with an ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm