The ancient Phoenician city of Tyre is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Located in modern-day Lebanon, Tyre was a major maritime and mercantile center during biblical times. As such, it had significant interactions with the Israelites and early Christians. Here is an overview of the major ways in which Tyre is featured in the Bible:
Tyre in the Old Testament
Tyre first appears in the Old Testament as a place that King David sent materials and craftsmen to when building a palace in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:11). It was ruled by King Hiram, who was on friendly terms with both David and Solomon. Hiram provided cedar logs, carpenters, masons and other skilled workers to help Solomon build the first temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:1-12).
The Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah all pronounce oracles and judgments against Tyre because of its great material wealth and pride (Isaiah 23:1-18, Ezekiel 26:1-28:19, Zechariah 9:2-4). Tyre is likened to a great ship that will be wrecked and submerged under the sea. Despite these prophecies, Tyre continued to prosper after partial conquest by the Babylonians and attacks by Alexander the Great.
Other Old Testament references to Tyre include:
- Joshua 19:29 – The territory allotted to the tribe of Asher reached up to the “fortified city of Tyre.”
- 2 Samuel 24:7 – King David’s census-takers visited Tyre.
- 1 Kings 7:13-14 – The craftsman Hiram, who helped build Solomon’s temple, was from Tyre.
- Psalm 45:12 – An ode to the king’s daughter mentions “the richest of the people,” including those from Tyre, who will entreat her favor.
- Psalm 87:4 – Along with Egypt, Babylon and Philistia, Tyre is mentioned as knowing the Lord.
- Isaiah 23:16 – After pronouncing judgment on Tyre, Isaiah says the city will again prosper after 70 years and resume trading with Israel.
- Ezekiel 27 – A lengthy lamentation over Tyre as a great merchant ship that has been wrecked.
- Amos 1:9-10 – Amos chastises Tyre for enslaving whole communities and handing them over to Edom.
From references like these, we see Tyre depicted as a wealthy, prideful city that oppresses others despite knowing Israel’s God. God judges it, but also shows mercy upon its repentance.
Tyre in the New Testament
In the New Testament, Tyre is mentioned only a few times. All refer positively to visits made there by Jesus and his disciples:
- Matthew 15:21 – After clashing with the Pharisees, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
- Mark 3:8 – People came from Tyre to see Jesus and be healed by him.
- Mark 7:24 – Leaving Galilee, Jesus went to the region of Tyre, where he healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman.
- Luke 6:17 – People came from Tyre to hear Jesus teach and to be healed of diseases.
- Acts 12:20 – Herod was furious with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They sued for peace with his kingdom.
- Acts 21:3 – The ship Paul was on passed south of Cyprus on its way to Syria, landing at Tyre.
- Acts 21:7 – Paul and his companions stayed with believers in Tyre for seven days.
Though no longer as dominant as in Old Testament times, Tyre continued as a important coastal city frequented by Jesus, Paul and other early Christians.
Key Themes About Tyre in the Bible
Drawing these Old and New Testament references together, here are some key themes that emerge about Tyre in the Bible:
- Wealth and pride – Tyre was exceptionally prosperous as a center of maritime trade. With this wealth came great pride in its achievements.
- Interaction with Israel – There was frequent contact and commerce between Tyre and the kingdoms of Israel/Judah.
- God’s judgment – The pride and oppressive practices of Tyre brought God’s judgment via prophets and conquerors.
- Repentance and mercy – Despite judgment, the prophets held out hope of God showing mercy when Tyre repented.
- Knowledge of God – Tyre is said to have some knowledge or experience of the true God of Israel.
- Jesus’ ministry – The Gospels record Jesus visiting the region of Tyre.
- Paul’s travels – Acts mentions Paul stopping in Tyre during his missionary journeys.
In summary, Tyre frequently interacted with God’s people in biblical times, both positively and negatively. It was known for its rich maritime trade, pride, and sins, but also for times of repentance. Jesus himself ministered there, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that Tyre’s merchandise would “be for those who dwell before the Lord” (Isaiah 23:18).
Deeper Analysis of Key Bible Passages About Tyre
Looking more closely at a few key Bible passages gives greater insight into the biblical significance of Tyre:
Isaiah 23
Isaiah’s prophecy against Tyre in chapter 23 uses vivid poetic imagery to describe the city’s coming judgment:
Wail, O ships of Tarshish!
For Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor!
From the land of Cyprus
it is revealed to them.
Be still, O inhabitants of the coast;
the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you.
And on many waters
your revenue was the grain of Shihor,
the harvest of the Nile;
you were the merchant of the nations. (Isaiah 23:1-3 ESV)
Tyre is depicted as a great merchant ship that enabled the accumulation of vast wealth (“your revenue”) through exploiting foreign lands (“the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile”). But this ship will be wrecked by God (“Tyre is laid waste”). However, there is hope beyond judgment for Tyre:
At the end of seventy years, the Lord will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord. (Isaiah 23:17-18 ESV)
Despite Tyre’s corrupt practices, God will show compassion and restore Tyre so that its profits would even be used for God’s purposes. This hints at Tyre’s redemption.
Ezekiel 26-28
Ezekiel gives the longest lament over Tyre’s demise. Using imagery of the sea, ships and sea monsters, he pronounces Tyre’s coming ruin:
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a host of many soldiers. He will kill with the sword your daughters on the mainland. He will set up a siege wall against you and throw up a mound against you, and raise a roof of shields against you.” (Ezekiel 26:7-8 ESV)
Though Nebuchadnezzar did conquer Tyre, the city was not so totally destroyed as Ezekiel prophesied. Alexander the Great later tore down fortifications to build a causeway to the island city. So Ezekiel’s predictions only partially came true. Beyond judgment, Ezekiel anticipates Tyre’s restoration:
“And her gain and her pay go to the Lord; her profits will not be stored or hoarded, but her gain will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who live in the presence of the Lord.” (Ezekiel 27:33-34)
This echoes Isaiah’s hope that Tyre’s riches would come to benefit God’s people rather than solely for selfish gain.
Mark 7:24-30
This account in Mark’s Gospel of Jesus traveling to Tyre and healing a Gentile woman’s daughter is full of significance:
And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone. (Mark 7:24-30 ESV)
Jesus intentionally went to this Gentile region but tried to remain hidden. Yet his power to heal could not be contained. The desperate woman humbled herself before Jesus, prompting his initial reluctance as she was not Jewish. Yet her persistent faith causes Jesus to praise her words and heal her daughter. This foreshadows salvation expanding beyond Israel to all nations.
Other Biblical Cities For Comparison
It can be helpful to compare Tyre with other prominent cities mentioned in the Bible:
Sidon
Sidon was another Phoenician port city about 20 miles north of Tyre. It is often mentioned alongside Tyre (Isaiah 23; Matthew 11:21; Acts 27:3). But Sidon seems to have been smaller and less prominent commercially.
Babylon
The superpower empire and capital city of Babylonia often besieged and attacked others, including Judah and Jerusalem. It destroyed Solomon’s temple. Babylon represents idolatry, corruption and persecution of God’s people.
Nineveh
Nineveh was the capital of the brutal Assyrian empire. The prophets Nahum and Zephaniah pronounce judgment on it. But Nineveh temporarily repented at Jonah’s preaching, foreshadowing future mercy.
Sodom and Gomorrah
These cities symbolize rebellion, immorality and the most severe judgment from God (Genesis 19). Their destruction warns others to repent.
In contrast to cities known for unchecked evil and violence, Tyre is more complex – both corrupted by greed, yet open to repentance and redemption. This fits its status as a trade hub bridging Israel and the nations.
Tyre as a Type and Symbol
In Scripture, an individual, event or object can function as a “type” that symbolically foreshadows something greater. Tyre has been understood this way:
- Worldly riches – Tyre’s wealth and pride in trade symbolize temporary earthly riches versus true spiritual riches.
- Gentile nations – As a powerful Gentile city interacting with Israel, Tyre represented the Gentile world.
- Judgment and redemption – Tyre’s judgment and hope of renewal foreshadowed all nations’ judgment for sin and the offer of redemption in Christ.
Interpreting Tyre symbolically in these ways offered hope. Its judgment showed that earthly riches fade, gentile power is temporary, and redemption is offered to all nations through Christ.
Significance of Tyre for Today
What implications might Tyre’s biblical prominence have for Christians today?
- Avoid repeating Tyre’s sins of greed, pride and exploitation.
- Remember that God judges all sin but offers redemption to all who repent.
- Partner with rather than oppress those of other backgrounds or nations.
- Focus on spiritual rather than temporary physical riches.
- Be willing to humbly receive blessings meant for others (as the Syrophoenician woman did).
- Use material prosperity to serve God and bless others.
Tyre was a complex, multifaceted city in Scripture. Appreciating its shifting roles can teach us much about how God relates both to His covenant people and those outside the covenant. With both judgment and mercy, He reaches out to draw all nations to Himself.