Topical Bible: Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Wealth

◄ Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Wealth ►

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Historical and Geographical Context:
Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city, was located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in what is now modern-day Lebanon. It was composed of two parts: a mainland settlement and an island city. Tyre was renowned for its strategic maritime position, which facilitated its rise as a dominant trading hub in the ancient world. The city's wealth and influence were largely derived from its extensive trade networks and its production of the highly prized Tyrian purple dye, extracted from the murex shellfish.

Biblical Significance:
Tyre is frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of its wealth and commercial prowess. The city was known for its skilled artisans and builders, as well as its luxurious goods. In the Old Testament, Tyre's relationship with Israel is highlighted, particularly during the reigns of David and Solomon.

Key Biblical References:

1. Alliance with Israel:
· Tyre's King Hiram played a significant role in the construction of Solomon's Temple. The alliance between Hiram and Solomon is noted for the exchange of goods and services, with Tyre providing cedar wood, craftsmen, and gold in return for food supplies. This partnership is detailed in 1 Kings 5:1-12 : "Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David."

2. Prophecies Against Tyre:
· Despite its wealth and influence, Tyre was subject to prophetic judgments due to its pride and idolatry. The prophet Ezekiel delivered a series of oracles against Tyre, predicting its downfall. Ezekiel 28:2-5 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. Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of it.'"

3. New Testament Mentions:
· In the New Testament, Tyre is mentioned in the context of Jesus' ministry. Jesus visited the region of Tyre and Sidon, where He performed miracles and interacted with the local population. Mark 7:24-26 recounts: "Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know He was there, but He could not escape notice. Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about Him and came and fell at His feet. Now she was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter."

Cultural and Economic Influence:
Tyre's economic success was largely due to its maritime trade. The city was a center for the exchange of goods such as glass, textiles, and the famous Tyrian purple dye. Its merchants were known for their shrewdness and skill, contributing to Tyre's reputation as a wealthy and influential city-state.

Spiritual Lessons:
The biblical narrative of Tyre serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and reliance on material wealth. Despite its prosperity, Tyre's arrogance and idolatry led to its prophesied destruction. The account of Tyre underscores the biblical principle that true security and significance are found not in wealth, but in obedience to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 27:33
When your wares went forth out of the seas, you filled many people; you did enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of your riches and of your merchandise.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 28:4,5
With your wisdom and with your understanding you have gotten you riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 9:3
And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
... it stretched northwards to the possessions of Tyre on the ... city; and near it, Chorazin,
so celebrated for its ... shops and its woolworks, speaks of its great wealth ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 3 in galilee at.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... even its most barbarous mysteries, those celebrated in honour ... rescued Sidon from
the dominion of Tyre, but had ... the empire had encountered on its north-eastern ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... Berytus and its god El; Sidon and its suburbs"Tyre: its foundation, its ... their banks
and factories; their ships"Cyprus, its wealth, its occupations"The ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Paul's Missionary Labors.
... by the superstitious heathen, and its sudden change ... to the Ephesian presbyter-bishops),
Tyre, and Caesarea ... of Paul's confinement, the celebrated Jewish historian ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 33 pauls missionary labors.htm

The Ecclesiastical Writers. By "The Fathers" we Understand the ...
... [378:1] Of his celebrated "Hexapla," to ... He closed a most laborious career at Tyre,
AD254, in ... and, though the episcopal dignity was not without its perils, it ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter i the ecclesiastical writers.htm

Herodotus and Xenophon.
... He visited Tyre, and the cities of Phoenicia, on the ... not having the remotest suspicion
that its destiny was ... thousand men besides; but so celebrated were the ...
/.../abbott/cyrus the great/chapter i herodotus and xenophon.htm

Jesus at Capernaum.
... rival fanaticisms, Galilee, as the price of its glory, has ... he journeyed once in the
direction of Tyre and Sidon ... 5] At Caesarea, he saw the celebrated grotto of ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter viii jesus at capernaum.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... sea-shore from Egypt up to Tyre, whence a ... such loving memories cling, were specially
celebrated for their ... evidently from hospitium, and showing its Roman origin ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... His entry into Egypt was celebrated by solemn festivities. ... The Phoenicians of Tyre
and Sidon had too many commercial ... Syria fell back into its former state. ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... multiplicity of high places was not without its dangers; it ... Calneh, and of Hamath,*
those of Tyre and Sidon who lavished upon the Phoenicians the wealth of the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm