Topical Bible: Tyre: Inhabitants of Mercantile Men

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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, Tyre was renowned for its wealth, maritime prowess, and skilled artisans. The city's inhabitants, often referred to as "mercantile men," played a crucial role in the economic landscape of the ancient Near East.

Biblical References and Historical Context

Tyre's prominence is highlighted in several biblical passages, underscoring its influence and interactions with Israel and other nations. In the Old Testament, Tyre is first mentioned in the context of King Hiram, who provided materials and craftsmen for the construction of King David's palace and Solomon's Temple. 1 Kings 5:1-12 details the alliance between Solomon and Hiram, emphasizing the mutual benefits derived from their trade agreements: "So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted, and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty thousand baths of pure olive oil. Solomon did this for Hiram year after year" (1 Kings 5:10-11).

The wealth and splendor of Tyre are further illustrated in Ezekiel 27, where the city is depicted as a majestic ship, laden with goods from various regions. The chapter provides a detailed account of Tyre's extensive trade network, listing commodities such as silver, iron, tin, lead, and precious stones. Ezekiel 27:3-4 describes Tyre's self-perception and its strategic location: "You say, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’ Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders perfected your beauty" .

Prophetic Judgments

Despite its prosperity, Tyre's pride and idolatry led to prophetic judgments pronounced by several prophets. Isaiah 23 prophesies the downfall of Tyre, attributing its impending destruction to divine retribution for its arrogance and self-sufficiency. Isaiah 23:9 states, "The LORD of Hosts has planned it, to defile all the glorious beauty, to disgrace all the renowned of the earth" .

Ezekiel 26-28 contains a series of oracles against Tyre, predicting its conquest by Nebuchadnezzar and its eventual ruin. Ezekiel 28:2-5 addresses the pride of the city's ruler, who claimed divine status due to his wealth and wisdom: "In the pride of your heart you say, ‘I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the sea.’ But you are a man and not a god, though you regard your heart as the heart of a god" .

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 faith leads to the healing of her demon-possessed daughter. This interaction highlights the reach of Jesus' ministry beyond the borders of Israel and underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel message.

Additionally, Acts 21:3-6 records Paul's visit to Tyre during his missionary journeys. The believers in Tyre, though few, demonstrate hospitality and spiritual fellowship, praying with Paul before his departure.

Cultural and Economic Influence

Tyre's influence extended beyond its immediate geographical location, impacting the cultural and economic practices of the ancient world. The city's merchants were instrumental in the spread of goods, ideas, and technologies across the Mediterranean. Tyre's production of purple dye, derived from the murex shellfish, was particularly renowned, symbolizing wealth and royalty.

The biblical portrayal of Tyre serves as a testament to the city's historical significance and offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and reliance on material wealth. Through its interactions with Israel and its role in biblical prophecy, Tyre remains a focal point for understanding the complex dynamics of ancient Near Eastern trade and politics.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 23:8
Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honorable of the earth?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... success confirmed the neighbouring states of Tyre, Sidon, Judah ... the hands of the
conqueror; the inhabitants who survived ... to the number of 9033 men, with their ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... on the routes followed by the mercantile marine, which ... The inhabitants of the coast
were possessed of fully ... even the regular trading ships of Tyre and Sidon ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... There are to be "signs in the sun" (Luke 21:25). Isaiah tells of a time when "the
inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men left" (Isaiah 24:6; xlii.25). ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of Judah and the submission of Tyre; the successes ... to the Susians, and perhaps to
the first inhabitants of Chaldaea ... Abiruz, and Ariarma, while the men bear such ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm