Topical Bible: Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: Envy Against the Jews a Cause of Its Destruction

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Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, holds a significant place in biblical prophecy and history. Known for its wealth, maritime prowess, and strategic location, Tyre was a powerful city-state that often found itself in conflict with neighboring nations, including Israel. The prophecies concerning Tyre, particularly those found in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, highlight the city's eventual downfall, attributing its destruction in part to its envy and animosity towards the Jewish people.

Biblical Prophecies Against Tyre

The prophet Ezekiel provides a detailed account of Tyre's impending judgment. In Ezekiel 26:2-3 , the Lord declares, "Son of man, because Tyre has said of Jerusalem, ‘Aha! The gateway of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I will be filled now that she lies in ruins,’ 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." This passage reveals Tyre's gloating over Jerusalem's misfortune, indicating a deep-seated envy and opportunism that contributed to its own downfall.

Ezekiel 28 further elaborates on Tyre's pride and arrogance, likening its ruler to a god. In Ezekiel 28:2 , the Lord says, "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 a god 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 pride, coupled with envy, set the stage for divine judgment.

Envy Against the Jews

The envy of Tyre towards the Jews is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature. Tyre's desire to capitalize on Jerusalem's downfall is indicative of a broader animosity. This envy is not merely a personal vendetta but reflects a spiritual and moral failing that the prophets highlight as a reason for Tyre's judgment. The city's desire to benefit from Jerusalem's destruction reveals a lack of compassion and a willingness to exploit the suffering of others for its gain.

Historical Fulfillment

The prophecies against Tyre were fulfilled through a series of historical events. Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon laid siege to the city for 13 years, as mentioned in Ezekiel 29:18 , "Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon drove his army in a hard campaign against Tyre; every head was rubbed bare and every shoulder made raw. Yet he and his army received no wages from Tyre for the campaign he led against it." Although the city was not completely destroyed at that time, it marked the beginning of its decline.

Later, Alexander the Great famously conquered Tyre in 332 BC, fulfilling the prophecy of its destruction. The city was besieged and eventually fell, with its inhabitants either killed or sold into slavery. This historical fulfillment underscores the accuracy of the biblical prophecies and serves as a testament to the consequences of pride and envy.

Moral and Theological Implications

The prophecies against Tyre serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, envy, and opposition to God's chosen people. Tyre's downfall is a reminder of the biblical principle that those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Matthew 23:12). The city's destruction illustrates the broader theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's word through the prophets.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 26:2
Son of man, because that Tyrus has said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned to me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... throw ourselves about with joy, indulge envy, engage in ... of equal merit, but he is
speaking against those believers ... I am to infer His wishes respecting ourselves ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of Judah and the submission of Tyre; the successes ... its gods, and the world, filled
with envy or with ... he dictated a summary of all the prophecies delivered by ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm