Tyre

Illustration of Tyre

Tyre was a prominent Phoenician seaport city renowned for its extensive maritime trade and wealth, which made it a significant economic hub in the ancient world. In the Old Testament, prophets like Ezekiel pronounced judgments against Tyre for its arrogance and idolatry, foretelling its eventual downfall. During his ministry, Jesus traveled to the region of Tyre and Sidon, where he healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, demonstrating the reach of his compassion beyond Jewish boundaries. Later, the apostle Paul visited Tyre during his missionary journeys, where believers urged him not to proceed to Jerusalem, highlighting its role as a stopover in early Christian travels.

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Details

Region
Asia Minor
Modern Location
Tyre (Sur), Lebanon
Strongest connections in Scripture
Mark 7 Acts 21 Ezekiel 26

Nearby Places

(within ~40 km)

Key Passages

Jesus in the Region of Tyre

Mark 7:24-30

Jesus withdraws to Tyre seeking rest but cannot remain hidden - even in Gentile territory, His fame draws those desperate for healing.

A24nd from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the childrenโ€™s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the childrenโ€™s crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

Paul Visits Believers in Tyre

Acts 21:3-6

Paul finds disciples in Tyre and stays a week - the gospel has already reached this ancient trading city, establishing a community of faith.

N3ow when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. 6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

Prophecy Against Tyre

Ezekiel 26:3-5

Ezekiel prophesies Tyre's destruction with remarkable detail - fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander, confirming God's sovereignty over proud commercial empires.

T3herefore thus saith the Lord GOD; 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.

4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. 5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.

Related

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Did You Know?

1

Ezekiel prophesied Tyre would be scraped bare like a rock. Alexander the Great fulfilled this literally.

2

Alexander built a causeway to the island city using the rubble of the old mainland city.

3

Ancient Tyre was the wealthiest trading port in the Mediterranean world.