Topical Bible: Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: To be Destroyed by the King of Babylon

◄ Tyre: Prophecies Respecting: To be Destroyed by the King of Babylon ►

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Tyre, an ancient and prosperous Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, holds significant mention in biblical prophecy, particularly concerning its destruction by the King of Babylon. The city was renowned for its wealth, trade, and strategic maritime position, making it a focal point of interest for surrounding empires.

Prophetic Context

The prophecies concerning Tyre's destruction are primarily found in the book of Ezekiel. The prophet Ezekiel, during the Babylonian exile, delivered a series of oracles against Tyre, foretelling its downfall at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar II, the King of Babylon. These prophecies are set against the backdrop of Tyre's pride and its role as a major commercial hub, which often led to moral and spiritual corruption.

Ezekiel's Prophecies

Ezekiel 26:7-14 provides a detailed account of the impending siege and destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar. The prophecy begins with a declaration of judgment: "For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I will bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, from the north, with horses, chariots, cavalry, and a great army’" (Ezekiel 26:7). This passage emphasizes the might and determination of the Babylonian forces that would come against Tyre.

The prophecy continues to describe the methods of warfare that would be employed: "He will ravage your settlements on the mainland with the sword; he will set up siege works against you, build a ramp up to your walls, and raise his shields against you" (Ezekiel 26:8). The imagery of siege works and military tactics underscores the thoroughness of the impending destruction.

Ezekiel further prophesies the complete devastation of the city: "They will break down your walls and demolish your fine houses and throw your stones, timber, and rubble into the sea" (Ezekiel 26:12). This vivid description not only predicts the physical destruction but also the symbolic casting of Tyre's wealth and pride into the sea, signifying its utter ruin.

Historical Fulfillment

The historical fulfillment of these prophecies is a subject of considerable interest. Nebuchadnezzar did indeed lay siege to Tyre, a campaign that lasted for many years. While the mainland city suffered significant destruction, the island city of Tyre withstood the siege for a prolonged period. Eventually, the city fell into decline, and later conquests, such as that by Alexander the Great, further contributed to its downfall.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the prophecies against Tyre serve as a testament to God's sovereignty and justice. Tyre's destruction is portrayed as a divine judgment against its pride and idolatry. The fulfillment of these prophecies underscores the reliability of God's word and serves as a warning against the dangers of hubris and moral decay.

In summary, the prophecies concerning Tyre's destruction by the King of Babylon highlight the city's significant role in biblical history and the divine judgment pronounced upon it. Through the lens of Ezekiel's prophecies, Tyre's fate is a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and the ultimate authority of God over the nations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 23:13,14
Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 27:3,6
And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 26:7-13
For thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring on Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.
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Library

The Greater Prophets.
... place, we add here a few words respecting the nature ... is made out by separating Sidon
from Tyre to which ... her die away; and the series of prophecies that follows ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... 2932] For if the judgment respecting the "Jew ... If, therefore, the prophecies relating
to Judea, and ... and the Egyptians, Babylon and the Babylonians, Tyre and the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... commissions of Babylonian and Persian kings respecting the return ... which we now regard
and class as the prophecies. ... of the affairs of Egypt, Tyre, Syria, Assyria ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... in a prophecy against the King of Tyre, in which ... he should not have had some message
respecting those great ... vague and general like the rest of the prophecies. ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... again, makes a similar revelation respecting Jerusalem, saying ... it certainly follows
that those prophecies also which ... be understood of any man or king of Tyre. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of Judah and the submission of Tyre; the successes ... he dictated a summary of all the
prophecies delivered by ... site of the palaces which had been destroyed by fire ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Eusebius: Constantine. General Index.
... 3533]548, [3534]549; letter to Council of Tyre, [3535]550 ... 3885]511; of wills,
[3886]546; respecting childless persons ... Prophecies of Christ's coming, [4131]573. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/eusebius constantine general index.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... 4798] At Babylon the magicians ... and wiser than they who ate the flesh from the king's
table ... the banquets of sinners, I am to infer His wishes respecting ourselves ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm