Ezekiel 26:1-21

§ 2. Tyre (and Sidon) (Ezekiel 26-28)

Tyre was the capital of Phoenicia, the seaboard country on the NW. of Palestine. The Phoenicians were the great mariners of the ancient world, and Tyre was a famous seaport, renowned for its wealth and splendour. It joined in the league against Nebuchadrezzar, and was besieged by him for thirteen years (597-584 b.c.). See Intro. Ezekiel predicts its overthrow in three prophecies, one in general terms (Ezekiel 26), one describing Tyre under the figure of a gallant ship (Ezekiel 27), and one directed specially against the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:1). Zidon (or Sidon) was another Phoenician seaport, about 20 m. N. of Tyre; which was its younger rival. It also joined in the league against Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3), and its downfall too is predicted by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 28:20). Part of the language of these Chapter s is reproduced in Revelation 18.

The Fall of Tyre Predicted

The desolation of Tyre is announced (Ezekiel 26:1), its siege by Nebuchadrezzar is vividly described (Ezekiel 26:7), a lamentation for its fall is put into the mouths of the princes of the sea (Ezekiel 26:15), and God's threat of judgment is again repeated (Ezekiel 26:19).