The Burden Of Tyre

Isaiah 23:1-18

“The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.” (Isaiah 23:1)

The ancient Zidonian city of Tyre, located in present day Lebanon became the hub of the Phoenician trading Empire, controlling coastal areas and islands in southern Europe, northern Africa and the middle east.  Their empire stretched all the way to southern Spain, known at the time as Tarshish.  Chittim, known today as Cyprus was another Phoenician territory. 

“Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.  And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.  Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.  As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.” (Isaiah 23:2-5)

Many of their territories were dependent on trade with the Phoenicians for survival.  Its collapse would be severe blow to all their colonies.  They had worshipped a god of the sea as their primary God, despite their closeness and alliances with Israel in David and Solomon’s days, even helping build the Temple.  They should be ashamed for their decision not to worship god instead, learning that the sea did not care about people and was a hostile environment for humans.  Tyre’s destruction would be as much a shock as the destruction of Egypt. 

“Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.  Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.  Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?” (Isaiah 23:6-8)

Tarshish, or Spain was one of the few Phoenicians areas that was not dependent on trade to survive.  The destruction of Tyre and collapse of the Phoenician Empire would force many of the island colonies to flee to Spain to survive.   Tyre had been founded about the same time as many other ancient civilizations, shortly after God confounded the languages at the tower of Babel, around 3000 BC.   Over the centuries, their traders had become influential even among other cultures. 

“The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.  Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.  He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.  And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.” (Isaiah 23:9-12)

God had decided to destroy the pride of the Phoenician Empire.  Instead of being highly respected, they would incur the contempt of other cultures.  Their colonies would be destroyed, and many of the people of Tyre would flee to Cyprus for safety.  Unfortunately, Cyprus would be constant target for other world powers and they would find no peace there. 

“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.

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.  Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.” (Isaiah 23:13-16)

The Assyrians developed a huge empire.   It was taken over by the Chaldeans about 634 BC,  and Nebuchadnezzar came to power about 605 BC.  About the same time he conquered Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar started a thirteen year siege of Tyre.  Although he was never able to conquer it, the population moved to an island just off shore for added security, fearing another siege.

   

“And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.  And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.” (Isaiah 23:17-18)

The Medo-Persian Empire took Babylon from Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, and Darius the Mede became king, seventy years after the destruction of Jerusalem.  When he died, the Persian Empire took control and Tyre was allowed to resume trading, regaining some of their former power and prestige.    In 332 BC Alexander the Great would use the ruins on the mainland to build a causeway for a seven month siege of the island, executing or selling over thirty thousand people as slaves.

The stronger and more self-sufficient Phoenician colonies became quite powerful in their own right.  For a time Carthage rivaled Rome, even sending Hannibal to invade from the North while their navy attacked from the sea.   Tarshish ruled all of Spain and Portugal, part of France and the British isles for a time.  An alliance between Tarshish and Carthage allowed Hannibal to bring his elephants across the straits of Gibraltar and invade northern Italy.  Rome took possession of Tyre in 64 BC.  Their defeat of Carthage gave them control of part of northern Africa.