Ezekiel 26:1-26

§ 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 28:1-19). 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 28:20-26). Part of the language of these chapters is reproduced in Revelation 18.