[[Isa-23]] Prev: [[Prophecies in Isa-22]] | Next: [[Prophecies in Isa-24]] --- ### The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. ... Yahweh of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: Isaiah predicts the total destruction and humiliation of the Phoenician city-state of Tyre, a major maritime and commercial power of the ancient world. *Historical context*: Historians record that Tyre faced successive judgments. The mainland city was besieged and significantly damaged by the Assyrians and later by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon during a 13-year siege (586–573 BC). The island fortress was ultimately and decisively destroyed by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, who used the debris from the mainland ruins to build a causeway to reach and conquer the city. *Related to*: ### It will come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. After the end of seventy years it will be to Tyre like in the song of the prostitute. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: Tyre would enter a 70-year period of insignificance and restricted trade, described as being 'forgotten' like an aging prostitute. *Historical context*: [[Thi|This 70]]-year period is widely interpreted by scholars to correspond with the era of Babylonian hegemony (roughly 609–539 BC), which is the same duration as the Judean exile. Following the fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BC, Tyre was granted permission to resume its maritime activities and regained its status as a commercial hub. *Related to*: ### Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before Yahweh, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: Isaiah predicts that eventually, Tyre’s commercial wealth and resources would be dedicated to the service of God and the support of His people. *Historical context*: Theologians and historians point to several fulfillments: 1) In the post-exilic period, Tyrians provided cedar and materials for the construction of the Second Temple ([[Ezr-03#v7|Ezra 3:7]]). 2) In the New Testament, Tyre became a center for early Christianity; [[Acts-21#v3|Acts 21:3]]-4 describes a thriving community of disciples there who supported the Apostle Paul and the early church, signifying the conversion of its wealth and people to the service of Yahweh. *Related to*: --- #ai_prophecy