Tyre

A rock, now es-Sur; an ancient Phoenician city, about 23 miles, in a direct line, north of Acre, and 20 south of Sidon. Sidon was the oldest Phoenician city, but Tyre had a longer and more illustrious history. The commerce of the whole world was gathered into the warehouses of Tyre. “Tyrian merchants were the first who ventured to navigate the Mediterranean waters; and they founded their colonies on the coasts and neighbouring islands of the AEgean Sea, in Greece, on the northern coast of Africa, at Carthage and other places, in Sicily and Corsica, in Spain at Tartessus, and even beyond the pillars of Hercules at Gadeira (Cadiz)” (Driver’s Isaiah). In the time of David a friendly alliance was entered into between the Hebrews and the Tyrians, who were long ruled over by their native kings (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1; 2 Chr. 2:3). Tyre consisted of two distinct parts, a rocky fortress on the mainland, called “Old Tyre,” and the city, built on a small, rocky island about half-a-mile distant from the shore. It was a place of great strength. It was besieged by Shalmaneser, who was assisted by the Phoenicians of the mainland, for five years, and by Nebuchadnezzar (B.C. 586-573) for thirteen years, apparently without success. It afterwards fell under the power of Alexander the Great, after a siege of seven months, but continued to maintain much of its commercial importance till the Christian era. It is referred to in Matt. 11:21 and Acts 12:20. In A.D. 1291 it was taken by the Saracens, and has remained a desolate ruin ever since. “The purple dye of Tyre had a worldwide celebrity on account of the durability of its beautiful tints, and its manufacture proved a source of abundant wealth to the inhabitants of that city.” Both Tyre and Sidon “were crowded with glass-shops, dyeing and weaving establishments; and among their cunning workmen not the least important class were those who were celebrated for the engraving of precious stones.” (2 Chr. 2:7, 14). The wickedness and idolatry of this city are frequently denounced by the prophets, and its final destruction predicted (Isa. 23:1; Jer. 25:22; Ezek. 26; 28:1-19; Amos 1:9, 10; Zech. 9:2-4). Here a church was founded soon after the death of Stephen, and Paul, on his return from his third missionary journey spent a week in intercourse with the disciples there (Acts 21:4). Here the scene at Miletus was repeated on his leaving them. They all, with their wives and children, accompanied him to the sea-shore. The sea-voyage of the apostle terminated at Ptolemais, about 38 miles from Tyre. Thence he proceeded to Caesarea (Acts 21:5-8). “It is noticed on monuments as early as B.C. 1500, and claiming, according to Herodotus, to have been founded about B.C. 2700. It had two ports still existing, and was of commercial importance in all ages, with colonies at Carthage (about B.C. 850) and all over the Mediterranean. It was often attacked by Egypt and Assyria, and taken by Alexander the Great after a terrible siege in B.C. 332. It is now a town of 3,000 inhabitants, with ancient tombs and a ruined cathedral. A short Phoenician text of the fourth century B.C. is the only monument yet recovered.”

(a rock), a celebrated commercial city of Phoenicia, on the coast of the Mediterranean. Its Hebrew name, Tzor, signifies a rock; which well agrees with the site of Sur, the modern town, on a rocky peninsula, formerly an island. There is no doubt that, previous to the siege of the city by Alexander the Great, Tyre was situated on an island; but, according to the tradition of the inhabitants, there was a city on the mainland before there was a city on the island; and the tradition receives some color from the name of Palaetyrus, or Old Tyre, which was borne in Greek times by a city on the continent, thirty stadia to the south. Notices in the Bible .—In the Bible Tyre is named for the first time in the of Joshua, ch. (Joshua 19:29) where it is adverted to as a fortified city (in the Authorized Version “the strong city”) in reference to the boundaries of the tribe of Asher, But the first passages in the Hebrew historical writings, or in ancient history generally, which actual glimpses of the actual condition of Tyre are in the book of Samuel, (2 Samuel 6:11) in connection with Hiram king of Tyre sending cedar wood and workmen to David, for building him a palace; and subsequently in the book of Kings, in connection with the building of Solomon’s temple. It is evident that under Solomon there was a close alliance between the Hebrews and the Tyrians. Hiram supplied Solomon with cedar wood, precious metals and workmen, and gave him sailors for the voyage to Ophir and India, while on the other hand Solomon gave Hiram supplies of corn and oil, ceded to him some cities, and permitted him to make use of some havens on the Red Sea. (1 Kings 9:11-14; 26-28; 10:22) These friendly relations survived for a time the disastrous secession of the ten tribes, and a century later Ahab married a daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, (1 Kings 16:31) who, according to Menander, was daughter of Ithobal king of Tyre. When mercantile cupidity induced the Tyrians and the neighboring Phoenicians to buy Hebrew captives from their enemies, and to sell them as slaves to the Greeks and Edomites, there commenced denunciations, and at first threats of retaliation. (Joel 3:4-8; Amos 1:9,10) When Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, had taken the city of Samaria, had conquered the kingdom of Israel, and carried its inhabitants into captivity, he laid siege to Tyre, which, however, successfully resisted his arms. It is in reference to this siege that the prophecy against Tyre in Isaiah, (Isaiah 23:1) ... was uttered. After the siege of Tyre by Shalmaneser (which must have taken place not long after 721 B.C.). Tyre remained a powerful state, with its own kings, (Jeremiah 25:22; 27:3; Ezekiel 28:2-12) remarkable for its wealth, with territory on the mainland, and protected by strong fortifications. (Ezekiel 26:4,6,8,10,12; 27:11; 28:5; Zechariah 9:3) Our knowledge of its condition thenceforward until the siege by Nebuchadnezzar depends entirely on various notices of it by the Hebrew prophets; but some of these notices are singularly full, and especially the twenty-seventh chapter of Ezekiel furnishes us, on some points, with details such as have scarcely come down to us respecting any one city of antiquity excepting Rome and Athens. Siege by Nebuchadnezzar .—In the midst of great prosperity and wealth, which was the natural result of extensive trade, (Ezekiel 28:4) Nebuchadnezzar, at the head of an army of the Chaldees, invaded Judea and captured Jerusalem. As Tyre was so near to Jerusalem, and as the conquerors were a fierce and formidable race, (Habakkuk 1:6) It would naturally he supposed that this event would have excited alarm and terror amongst the Tyrians. Instead of this, we may infer from Ezekiel’s statement, (Ezekiel 26:2) that their predominant feeling was one of exultation. At first sight this appears strange and almost inconceivable; but it is rendered intelligible by some previous events in Jewish history. Only 34 years before the destruction of Jerusalem commenced the celebrated reformation of Josiah, B.C. 622. This momentous religious revolution, (2 Kings 22:1; 2 Kings 23:1) ... fully explains the exultation and malevolence of the Tyrians. In that reformation Josiah had heaped insults on the gods who were the objects of Tyrian veneration and love. Indeed, he seemed to have endeavored to exterminate their religion. (2 Kings 23:20) These acts must have been regarded by the Tyrians as a series of sacrilegious and abominable outrages; and we can scarcely doubt that the death in battle of Josiah at Megiddo and the subsequent destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, were hailed by them with triumph and retribution in human affairs. This joy, as instances of divine retribution in human affairs. This joy, however, must soon have given way to other feelings, when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Phoenicia and laid siege to Tyre. That siege lasted thirteen years, and it is still a disputed point whether Tyre was actually taken by Nebuchadnezzar o

TYRE, and TY'RUS (Heb. Tsor, "rock;" Arabic Sur), a celebrated city of Phoenicia, on the eastern coast of the Modern Tyre (After a Photograph) Mediterranean Sea, 21 miles south of Sidon, in lat. 33░ 17' N. Situation and Extent. - Tyre was situated upon what was originally an island, or perhaps two islands, about 1 mile long, and lying parallel to the shore at the distance of half a mile. There was also a city called "Palaetyrus" ("Old Tyre") upon the mainland. Pliny gives the circumference of the island Tyre at 2 1/2 miles, and of the whole city, including Palaetyrus, at 17 miles. History. - Phoenician and Greek traditions make Tyre a very ancient city. According to Herodotus, the priests at Tyre told him the city was founded b.c. 2750. The first Scripture mention is in the time of Joshua, b.c. 1-144, and it was then "a strong city." Josh 19:29. It was coupled with the Zidonians. Jer 47:4; Isa 23:2, Ex 6:4, Jud 4:12; Josh 13:6; Eze 32:30. The two cities Tyre and Sidon, being only 21 miles apart, were intimately associated. Indeed, Tyre must have included not only the city proper, but some of the adjacent country. See Phoenicia. Tyre, under King Hiram, held friendly relations with Israel, under David and Solomon. David's census extended thither to embrace the Jews. 2 Sam 24:7. The Tyrians furnished the timber for the temple and great buildings of Jerusalem. The cedars of Lebanon were floated from Tyre to Joppa, some 85 miles, and thence taken to Jerusalem. Tyrian artists also were skilful in the fine work required. As a reward for his services, Hiram was presented with twenty cities in Northern Galilee, but he was not well pleased with them and called them "Cabul" ("displeasing" or "despicable"). 2 Sam 5:11; 1 Kgs 5:1; 1 Kgs 7:13; 1 Kgs 9:11-12; 1 Chr 14:1; 2 Chr 2:2-3, 2 Chr 2:11. Hiram and Solomon were also associated in commercial enterprises. 1 Kgs 9:27; 1 Kgs 10:11-22; 2 Chr 8:17, 2 Chr 8:18; 2 Chr 9:21. From Tyre came the many fatal influences toward idolatry which corrupted the chosen people. See Zidon and Phoenicia. At a later period the friendly relations were changed to hostility. Tyre rejoiced in the distress of Israel, and God's prophet predicted the terrible overthrow of the proud heathen citv. Isa 23:1, 1 Chr 6:5, 1 Kgs 15:8, Gen 5:15-17; Jer 25:22; 1 Sam 27:3; Jer 47:4; Eze 26:2-15; Eze 27:2-8, Matt 27:32; Eze 29:18; Hos 9:13; Joel 3:4; Am 1:9-10; Zech 9:2-3; comp. Ps 45:12; Ps 83:7; Ps 87:4. The prophecies were notably fulfilled. Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, besieged Tyre in b.c. 721. The siege lasted for five years, but the city was not taken. Nebuchadnezzar besieged it for thirteen years, ending with b.c. 592; whether he captured and destroyed this city is, strange to say, a matter which history does not enable us to determine. Josephus does not make it clear, and the passage in Eze 29:18, "Yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus," is differently interpreted, some understanding that he did not take the city at all, and others that he took it, but found no adequate booty to compensate for the long siege. At any rate. Tyre came under the Persian dominion and furnished that power with a large fleet. This excited the hostility of Alexander the Great, who determined to destroy the power of the city. Not being able to reach the walls with his engines, he collected together all the remains of the ancient city Palaetyrus - stones, timber, rubbish - and threw them into the narrow channel. Thus was fulfilled in a most remarkable manner the prophecy of Ezekiel. Eze 28:3-4, Jud 4:12, 2 Chr 11:21. After a siege of seven months the city was taken. Some 8000 men were slain in the massacre which followed; 2000 were crucified, and 30,000 men, women, and children were sold into slavery. The city was also set on fire by the victors. Zech 9:4; Joel 3:7. After Alexander's death Tyre fell under the dominion of the Seleucidse, having been besieged for fourteen months by Antigonus; at a later period the Romans possessed it. In N.T. times Tyre was a populous and thriving city. Christ referred to it and visited its "borders." Matt 11:21-22; Acts 15:21;Mark 7:24. Whether he went into the city itself cannot be determined. The borders of the territory of Tyre ("its coasts") reached southward to Carmel and eastward to Ituraea, according to Josephus. Paul spent seven days at Tyre. Acts 21:3-4, which early became the seat of a Christian bishopric. In the fourth century Jerome speaks of it as the most noble and beautiful city of Phoenicia, and as still trading with all the world. During the Middle Ages it was a place of some consequence, and was regarded as well nigh impregnable. On the side next the sea it had a double, and on the land side a triple, wall. After being subject to the Romans for four hundred years, Tyre came under the dominion of the Saracens in the seventh century. In a.d. 1124 the Crusaders captured it. In 1291 the Muslims gained possession of the city, which was destroyed by them, and has never since regained its prosperity. There is an interesting description of the siege of Acra (Ptolemais) and the possession of Tyre by the army of the sultan of Egypt and Damascus. It is given by Marinus Sanutus, a Venetian, in the century following the capture: "On the same day on which Ptolemais was taken, the Tyrians, at vespers, leaving the city empty, without the stroke of a sword, without the tumult of war, embarked on board their vessels, and abandoned the city to be occupied freely by their conquerors. On the morrow the Saracens entered, no one attempting to prevent them, and they did what they pleased." About a.d. 1610-11 it was visited by Sandys, who said of it: "But this once famous Tyre is now no other than a heap of ruins; yet have they a reverent aspect, and do instruct the pensive beholder with their exemplary frailty. It hath two harbors, that on the north side the fairest and best throughout all the Levant (which the cursours enter at their pleasure), the other choked with the decayes of the city." Maundrell (1697) says of Tyre: "On the north side it has an old Turkish castle, besides which there is nothing here but a mere Babel of broken walls, pillars, vaults, etc., there being not so much as an entire house left. Its present inhabitants are only a few poor wretches that harbor in vaults and subsist on fishing." - Smith's Bible Dictionary, vol. iv., p. 3337. Present Condition. - The present town lies at the north-west end of the former island, which has an area of about 125 acres. The large embankment or causeway thrown up by Alexander the Great was 60 yards wide and one-fourth of a mile long. But this has been widened, by the gradual deposit of sand, to a mile on the main land and 600 yards where it reaches the old ramparts. The west and south sides of the island are now used for gardens and burial-grounds. Traces of the ancient wall are found. One stone is 17 feet long and 6 1/2 feet thick. There are huge stones and fragments of marble columns along the shore and beneath the water. They are bare as the top of a rock, and there the fishermen spread their nets - a wonderful fulfilment of a prophecy uttered nearly twenty-four hundred years ago: "I will make thee like the top of a rock; thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon." Eze 26:11. The most interesting of the old buildings yet remaining is the church of the Crusaders, which probably occupies the site of a church consecrated a.d. 323, when Eusebius preached the sermon. The modern city has miserable streets and dilapidated houses. Its shipping consists of a few fishing-boats. Cotton, tobacco, and millstones from the Hauran are exported. The population numbers about 5000, nearly half of whom are Muslims, while the other half consists of Christians and a few Jews. A Franciscan monastery and a convent of the French order of the Sisters of St. Joseph are established here, and schools have been founded by an English mission. A short distance from the city, on the main land, is the traditional tomb of Hiram; the remains of the ancient aqueduct by which the city was supplied with water from Ras el 'Ain can be traced.

Tyrus, strength; rock; sharp

TYRE, and TY'RUS (Heb. Tsor, "rock;" Arabic Sur), a celebrated city of Phoenicia, on the eastern coast of the Modern Tyre (After a Photograph)

Mediterranean Sea, 21 miles south of Sidon, in lat. 33░ 17' N. Situation and Extent. - Tyre was situated upon what was originally an island, or perhaps two islands, about 1 mile long, and lying parallel to the shore at the distance of half a mile. There was also a city called "Palaetyrus" ("Old Tyre") upon the mainland. Pliny gives the circumference of the island Tyre at 2 1/2 miles, and of the whole city, including Palaetyrus, at 17 miles. History. - Phoenician and Greek traditions make Tyre a very ancient city. According to Herodotus, the priests at Tyre told him the city was founded b.c. 2750. The first Scripture mention is in the time of Joshua, b.c. 1-144, and it was then "a strong city." Josh 19:29. It was coupled with the Zidonians. Jer 47:4; Isa 23:2, Ex 6:4, Jud 4:12; Josh 13:6; Eze 32:30. The two cities Tyre and Sidon, being only 21 miles apart, were intimately associated. Indeed, Tyre must have included not only the city proper, but some of the adjacent country. See Phoenicia. Tyre, under King Hiram, held friendly relations with Israel, under David and Solomon. David's census extended thither to embrace the Jews. 2 Sam 24:7. The Tyrians furnished the timber for the temple and great buildings of Jerusalem. The cedars of Lebanon were floated from Tyre to Joppa, some 85 miles, and thence taken to Jerusalem. Tyrian artists also were skilful in the fine work required. As a reward for his services, Hiram was presented with twenty cities in Northern Galilee, but he was not well pleased with them and called them "Cabul" ("displeasing" or "despicable"). 2 Sam 5:11; 1 Kgs 5:1; 1 Kgs 7:13; 1 Kgs 9:11-12; 1 Chr 14:1; 2 Chr 2:2-3, 2 Chr 2:11. Hiram and Solomon were also associated in commercial enterprises. 1 Kgs 9:27; 1 Kgs 10:11-22; 2 Chr 8:17, 2 Chr 8:18; 2 Chr 9:21. From Tyre came the many fatal influences toward idolatry which corrupted the chosen people. See Zidon and Phoenicia. At a later period the friendly relations were changed to hostility. Tyre rejoiced in the distress of Israel, and God's prophet predicted the terrible overthrow of the proud heathen citv. Isa 23:1, 1 Chr 6:5, 1 Kgs 15:8, Gen 5:15-17; Jer 25:22; 1 Sam 27:3; Jer 47:4; Eze 26:2-15; Eze 27:2-8, Matt 27:32; Eze 29:18; Hos 9:13; Joel 3:4; Am 1:9-10; Zech 9:2-3; comp. Ps 45:12; Ps 83:7; Ps 87:4. The prophecies were notably fulfilled. Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, besieged Tyre in b.c. 721. The siege lasted for five years, but the city was not taken. Nebuchadnezzar besieged it for thirteen years, ending with b.c. 592; whether he captured and destroyed this city is, strange to say, a matter which history does not enable us to determine. Josephus does not make it clear, and the passage in Eze 29:18, "Yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus," is differently interpreted, some understanding that he did not take the city at all, and others that he took it, but found no adequate booty to compensate for the long siege. At any rate. Tyre came under the Persian dominion and furnished that power with a large fleet. This excited the hostility of Alexander the Great, who determined to destroy the power of the city. Not being able to reach the walls with his engines, he collected together all the remains of the ancient city Palaetyrus - stones, timber, rubbish - and threw them into the narrow channel. Thus was fulfilled in a most remarkable manner the prophecy of Ezekiel. Eze 28:3-4, Jud 4:12, 2 Chr 11:21. After a siege of seven months the city was taken. Some 8000 men were slain in the massacre which followed; 2000 were crucified, and 30,000 men, women, and children were sold into slavery. The city was also set on fire by the victors. Zech 9:4; Joel 3:7. After Alexander's death Tyre fell under the dominion of the Seleucidse, having been besieged for fourteen months by Antigonus; at a later period the Romans possessed it. In N.T. times Tyre was a populous and thriving city. Christ referred to it and visited its "borders." Matt 11:21-22; Acts 15:21;Mark 7:24. Whether he went into the city itself cannot be determined. The borders of the territory of Tyre ("its coasts") reached southward to Carmel and eastward to Ituraea, according to Josephus. Paul spent seven days at Tyre. Acts 21:3-4, which early became the seat of a Christian bishopric. In the fourth century Jerome speaks of it as the most noble and beautiful city of Phoenicia, and as still trading with all the world. During the Middle Ages it was a place of some consequence, and was regarded as

well nigh impregnable. On the side next the sea it had a double, and on the land side a triple, wall. After being subject to the Romans for four hundred years, Tyre came under the dominion of the Saracens in the seventh century. In a.d. 1124 the Crusaders captured it. In 1291 the Muslims gained possession of the city, which was destroyed by them, and has never since regained its prosperity. There is an interesting description of the siege of Acra (Ptolemais) and the possession of Tyre by the army of the sultan of Egypt and Damascus. It is given by Marinus Sanutus, a Venetian, in the century following the capture: "On the same day on which Ptolemais was taken, the Tyrians, at vespers, leaving the city empty, without the stroke of a sword, without the tumult of war, embarked on board their vessels, and abandoned the city to be occupied freely by their conquerors. On the morrow the Saracens entered, no one attempting to prevent them, and they did what they pleased." About a.d. 1610-11 it was visited by Sandys, who said of it: "But this once famous Tyre is now no other than a heap of ruins; yet have they a reverent aspect, and do instruct the pensive beholder with their exemplary frailty. It hath two harbors, that on the north side the fairest and best throughout all the Levant (which the cursours enter at their pleasure), the other choked with the decayes of the city." Maundrell (1697) says of Tyre: "On the north side it has an old Turkish castle, besides which there is nothing here but a mere Babel of broken walls, pillars, vaults, etc., there being not so much as an entire house left. Its present inhabitants are only a few poor wretches that harbor in vaults and subsist on fishing." - Smith's Bible Dictionary, vol. iv., p. 3337. Present Condition. - The present town lies at the north-west end of the former island, which has an area of about 125 acres. The large embankment or causeway thrown up by Alexander the Great was 60 yards wide and one-fourth of a mile long. But this has been widened, by the gradual deposit of sand, to a mile on the main land and 600 yards where it reaches the old ramparts. The west and south sides of the island are now used for gardens and burial-grounds. Traces of the ancient wall are found. One stone is 17 feet long and 6 1/2 feet thick. There are huge stones and fragments of marble columns along the shore and beneath the water. They are bare as the top of a rock, and there the fishermen spread their nets - a wonderful fulfilment of a prophecy uttered nearly twenty-four hundred years ago: "I will make thee like the top of a rock; thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon." Eze 26:11. The most interesting of the old buildings yet remaining is the church of the Crusaders, which probably occupies the site of a church consecrated a.d. 323, when Eusebius preached the sermon. The modern city has miserable streets and dilapidated houses. Its shipping consists of a few fishing-boats. Cotton, tobacco, and millstones from the Hauran are exported. The population numbers about 5000, nearly half of whom are Muslims, while the other half consists of Christians and a few Jews. A Franciscan monastery and a convent of the French order of the Sisters of St. Joseph are established here, and schools have been founded by an English mission. A short distance from the city, on the main land, is the traditional tomb of Hiram; the remains of the ancient aqueduct by which the city was supplied with water from Ras el 'Ain can be traced.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

Curdled milk. [India]

Part of speech: noun (n.)

Attire. See 2d and 3d Tire. [Obs.]

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To prey. See 4th Tire. [Obs.]