Topical Bible: Tyre: Inhabitants of Wicked

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Topical Encyclopedia

Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a significant center of commerce and trade. Its inhabitants, often referred to as the "inhabitants of wickedness," are depicted in various biblical passages as embodying pride, idolatry, and moral corruption.

Historical and Geographical Context

Tyre was a prominent city in ancient Phoenicia, known for its wealth and strategic location as a major maritime power. It consisted of two parts: the mainland settlement and an island city, which was later connected to the mainland by a causeway built by Alexander the Great. Tyre's prosperity was largely due to its skilled artisans, traders, and its role as a hub for the exchange of goods across the Mediterranean.

Biblical References and Themes

1. Pride and Arrogance: Tyre is often associated with pride and self-exaltation. In Ezekiel 28:2, the ruler of Tyre is condemned for his arrogance: "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.’" This passage highlights the city's hubris and its leaders' delusions of divinity.

2. Judgment and Destruction: The Bible prophesies the downfall of Tyre due to its wickedness. In Ezekiel 26:3-5, the Lord declares, "Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, as the sea brings 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. She will become a place to spread nets in the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD." This prophecy underscores the divine judgment against Tyre for its sins.

3. Commercial Exploitation and Idolatry: Tyre's wealth and commercial success are depicted as sources of its moral decay. In Isaiah 23:17, the city is described as engaging in harlotry with all the kingdoms of the earth: "At the end of seventy years, the LORD will restore Tyre, and she will return to her hire as a prostitute and sell herself to all the kingdoms on the face of the earth." This metaphor illustrates Tyre's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry.

4. Relationship with Israel: Tyre had a complex relationship with Israel. While King Hiram of Tyre was a friend and ally of King David and Solomon, providing materials for the construction of the Temple (1 Kings 5:1-12), later interactions were marked by hostility and enmity. In Amos 1:9-10, Tyre is condemned for betraying a covenant of brotherhood: "For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they delivered up a whole community of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood."

5. Symbol of Worldly Wealth and Corruption: Tyre is often used as a symbol of worldly wealth and the moral corruption that can accompany it. In Revelation 18, the fall of Babylon is reminiscent of the fall of Tyre, highlighting the transient nature of earthly riches and the ultimate triumph of God's justice.

Theological Implications

The biblical portrayal of Tyre serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, idolatry, and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of righteousness. The city's fate is a reminder of the sovereignty of God and the certainty of divine judgment against wickedness. Tyre's account encourages believers to seek humility, faithfulness, and obedience to God, rather than placing trust in material prosperity or human power.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 28:18
You have defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the middle of you, it shall devour you, and I will bring you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all them that behold you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Life of Flavius Josephus
... But as for the inhabitants of the city of Tiberias ... Now there was one whose name was
Ananias a wicked man he ... It was not now long before Vespasian came to Tyre? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the life of flavius josephus/

The Antichrist Will be the Son of Satan
... Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the ... Now the very fact that
the Wicked One is here ... that as Satan is termed "the king of Tyre," in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/ii the antichrist will be.htm

Letters and Edicts.
... This long edict, addressed to the inhabitants of Palestine ... the adversity which comes
to the wicked, followed by ... Constantine to the Synod of Tyre deprecating the ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 letters and edicts.htm

On Justice and Goodness.
... at the time of the deluge, or the inhabitants of Sodom ... if, according to them, they
were of a wicked and ruined ... signs and wonders had been done in Tyre and Sidon ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter v on justice and goodness.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur (the ... Madmena is removed; the
inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves ... the Man of Sin, "the Wicked One," has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

Preparation for Advent
... but in the cases of Gaza, of Tyre, and of ... He has been governing the world and the
inhabitants thereof all ... more likely to be popular with the wicked world (for ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon ii preparation for advent.htm

How Trypho after He had Beaten Demetrius Delivered the Kingdom to ...
... and of the Jewish deserters, and wicked men, as ... over the forces, from the Ladder
of Tyre unto Egypt ... was come from thence to Askelon, the inhabitants of Askelon ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how trypho after.htm

The Calamities and Slaughters that came Upon the Jews.
... all Cesarea was emptied of its Jewish inhabitants; for Florus ... while we acted after
a most wicked manner against ... not a few into bonds; those of Tyre also put a ...
/.../chapter 18 the calamities and.htm

Letter cxi. (November, AD 409. )
... and to an unjust king, and the most wicked in all the ... whom God, speaking to the prince
of Tyre, says by ... to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxi november a d 409.htm

How Crassus came into Judea, and Pillaged the Temple; and Then ...
... gave him this beam, not out of a wicked design, for ... is it likely that the Jews who
are inhabitants of Alexandria ... And as he came back to Tyre, he went up into ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how crassus came.htm