Topical Bible: Commerce: Tyrians

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The ancient city of Tyre, located on the Mediterranean coast in what is now modern-day Lebanon, was renowned for its significant role in commerce and trade during biblical times. The Tyrians, the inhabitants of Tyre, were known for their maritime prowess and their extensive trading networks, which extended across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Biblical References and Historical Context

Tyre is frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of its wealth and commercial activities. The city was a major center for trade and was famous for its production of purple dye, a luxury item in the ancient world. This dye, extracted from the murex snail, was highly prized and contributed to Tyre's prosperity.

In Ezekiel 27, the prophet provides a detailed description of Tyre's commercial empire, likening the city to a magnificent ship filled with goods from various nations. The passage highlights the extensive trade networks of the Tyrians, listing the diverse products and materials they exchanged, such as silver, iron, tin, lead, and precious stones. Ezekiel 27:3-4 states, "You say, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’ Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders perfected your beauty."

The Tyrians' trading partners included many nations, as indicated in Ezekiel 27:12 : "Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise." This verse underscores the extensive reach of Tyrian commerce, which connected them with distant lands.

Relations with Israel

The relationship between Tyre and Israel was complex, marked by both cooperation and tension. King Hiram of Tyre is noted for his alliance with King David and later with Solomon. Hiram provided materials and skilled labor for the construction of David's palace and Solomon's Temple, as recorded in 1 Kings 5:1-12. This partnership was mutually beneficial, as it facilitated trade and cultural exchange between the two kingdoms.

However, the prophets often criticized Tyre for its pride and reliance on wealth. Isaiah 23:8-9 questions, "Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are renowned in the earth? The LORD of Hosts planned it, to defile all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the renowned of the earth." This passage reflects the biblical view that Tyre's commercial success led to arrogance and a false sense of security.

Prophetic Judgments

The prophets frequently pronounced judgments against Tyre, foretelling its downfall due to its pride and idolatry. Ezekiel 28:2 conveys God's message to the ruler of Tyre: "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 think you are as wise as a god." This rebuke highlights the spiritual consequences of Tyre's materialism and self-exaltation.

The eventual destruction of Tyre, as prophesied by Ezekiel and other prophets, serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly wealth and the importance of humility before God. Tyre's fall is historically documented, with the city suffering sieges and conquests, most notably by Alexander the Great in 332 BC.

Legacy

Despite its eventual decline, Tyre's legacy as a hub of ancient commerce endures. The Tyrians' contributions to trade, navigation, and cultural exchange had a lasting impact on the ancient world. Their account, as recorded in the Bible, offers insights into the dynamics of wealth, pride, and divine judgment, themes that resonate throughout Scripture.

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2 Samuel 5:11
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
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1 Kings 5:6
Now therefore command you that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with your servants: and to you will I give hire for your servants according to all that you shall appoint: for you know that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like to the Sidonians.
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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?
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Ezekiel 27:1
The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
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Ezekiel 28:5
By your great wisdom and by your traffic have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches:
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Library

Book 1.
... know the truth of their affairs was this, that they had not any commerce together;
but ... all of them, while of the Phoenicians it is known the Tyrians have been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book 1.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... to Nineveh, and comprised, besides the two kings and their families, the remains
of their court and people, and the countless riches which the commerce of the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... carried on through the mouths of the Nile, and of this commerce the Phoenicians ... saying,
Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." He next attacked the Tyrians and the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... to the east and south-east in the direction of the table-land of Iran and the Persian
Gulf, and it was the key to the route by which the commerce of Babylon ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... was probably a son of Ithobaal (558-557).* When, at the end of four years, the death
of Mahar-baal left the throne vacant (554-553), the Tyrians petitioned for ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm