The Prophecy, Judgment, and Destruction of Tyrus (Ezekiel 26)

Scripture reading – Ezekiel 26; Ezekiel 27

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Continuing our examination of the third segment of the Book of Ezekiel, which began in Chapter 25, you will notice that the next few chapters focus on the ancient city-state of Tyrus (also spelled Tyre in other Scriptures). Tyrus’s prominent role in Ezekiel’s prophecy underscores its significance in the prophet’s day and its prophetic importance (Ezekiel 29). Tyrus was a vital crossroads for international trade in the ancient world, comparable to Venice in the Middle Ages and to Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles in the 21^st century.

Tyrus was the ancient seaport capital of Phoenicia and is the subject of God’s pronouncement of judgment. As with the prior nations Ezekiel predicted would be judged by the LORD and fall to Babylon, the same would be true of Tyrus (Ezekiel 28:1-19). 

Ezekiel 26

Ezekiel’s Prophecy of Tyrus’ Destruction (Ezekiel 26:1-6)

Tyrus was the capital of Phoenicia and an essential seaport for commerce. Half of that great city lay on the mainland, while the other half was on an island off the Mediterranean coast. The LORD came to Ezekiel “in the eleventh year” (most likely the 11^th year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, after he was removed by Nebuchadnezzar from Judah’s throne in 597 BC; Ezekiel 1:2). Hearing news of Jerusalem’s siege, the citizens of Tyrus took pleasure in it and thus stirred the LORD’s wrath against the city (Ezekiel 26:2). Perhaps recognizing the advantage of eliminating Jerusalem as a competitor along the trade routes, the people of Tyrus, driven by greed, boasted that they would “be replenished” [i.e., enriched] by Jerusalem’s fall (Ezekiel 26:2).

As with the other nations, the LORD set Himself against Tyrus and commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the city, saying, “Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up” (Ezekiel 26:3). Because half of Tyrus was built on an island, the people were confident that their great fortress would make them invincible to Nebuchadnezzar’s army, which relied on horses and chariots. Although Babylon had conquered the coastal portion of Tyrus, the island seaport escaped Nebuchadnezzar’s grasp.

Nevertheless, Ezekiel foretold that Tyrus would face waves of attack as nations lusted after the wealth of that great city (Ezekiel 26:3). The LORD also revealed that Tyrus’ walls would one day be leveled and become a place where fishermen would spread their nets (Ezekiel 26:4-5). The LORD further foretold that the “daughters” of Tyrus (the inland cities of the empire along the Mediterranean coast) would be “slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 26:6).

Tyrus was a formidable fortress; however, thirteen years after the siege began, Nebuchadnezzar’s army overwhelmed and conquered the city in 573 BC.

The Destruction of Tyrus (Ezekiel 26:7-14)

History provides us with a summary of the fall of Tyrus. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great took the ruins of the coastal cities and built a causeway from the mainland to the island where Tyrus was located (Ezekiel 26:7-15). Alexander’s army then crossed the sea, bringing their “engines of war,” and breached the walls of Tyrus (Ezekiel 26:12). In fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy, the songs and harps of Tyrus were stilled, and the city fell silent (Ezekiel 26:13-14). 

The Effect of Tyrus’ Destruction on Its Neighbors (Ezekiel 26:15-21)

Ezekiel prophesied that the kings of neighboring states would tremble in astonishment (Ezekiel 26:16) and lament the destruction of Tyrus (Ezekiel 26:17). Once believed invincible, Tyrus was destroyed, and “the pit” [i.e., hell; Sheol; note Isaiah 14:9] received the city’s wicked (Ezekiel 26:20-21).

Closing thoughts–

I am reminded that God is jealous for His people. While our sins sometimes invite His chastening, He is nonetheless provoked to anger when the wicked take pleasure in our sorrows.

Tyrus’s wealth could not save its citizens from God’s judgment. The LORD exacted vengeance on Tyrus for gloating over the fall of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Jews (Ezekiel 26:13-14). As prophesied, Tyrus became a “desolate city” as the sea’s waters claimed the habitat of that proud people.