And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea—The Hebrew qinah (קִינָה, "lamentation") is a formal funeral dirge. Surrounding nations will sing a death song for Tyre. "How art thou destroyed" (eykh avadt, אֵיךְ אָבַדְתְּ) echoes Lamentations' opening lament over Jerusalem—the same Hebrew formula expresses shocked grief over the unthinkable.
"Inhabited of seafaring men" (Hebrew noshevet miyamim, נוֹשֶׁבֶת מִיַּמִּים—"inhabited from the seas") describes Tyre's maritime population—sailors, merchants, naval forces. "The renowned city" (ha'ir hahullalah, הָעִיר הַהֻלָּלָה—"the praised city") indicates international fame. Most devastating: "which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it"—Tyre dominated through naval power and commercial control, inspiring fear in competitors. Now the feared becomes the pitied, the strong becomes rubble. This reversal demonstrates God's sovereignty over human pride and power.
Historical Context
Tyre's reputation was legendary. Founded on an island 600 yards offshore, it was nearly impregnable. Its navy controlled Mediterranean shipping lanes. Its merchants were 'princes' (Isaiah 23:8). Its purple dye dressed royalty worldwide. Its craftsmen built Solomon's temple. When Nebuchadnezzar besieged it for 13 years, Tyre survived by naval supply—though economically devastated. Alexander's 332 BC conquest was total: he built a half-mile causeway using rubble from mainland Tyre, breached the walls, and slaughtered 8,000 Tyrians, selling 30,000 into slavery. The 'renowned city' became a cautionary tale. Tyre never regained prominence—today's Tyre is a minor Lebanese town on the ancient causeway (now a permanent peninsula), fulfilling Ezekiel 26:14.
Questions for Reflection
How does Tyre's transformation from 'renowned' to 'destroyed' warn against building identity and security on worldly reputation?
What areas of our lives are we building on sand—things that seem strong but lack eternal foundation?
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Analysis & Commentary
And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea—The Hebrew qinah (קִינָה, "lamentation") is a formal funeral dirge. Surrounding nations will sing a death song for Tyre. "How art thou destroyed" (eykh avadt, אֵיךְ אָבַדְתְּ) echoes Lamentations' opening lament over Jerusalem—the same Hebrew formula expresses shocked grief over the unthinkable.
"Inhabited of seafaring men" (Hebrew noshevet miyamim, נוֹשֶׁבֶת מִיַּמִּים—"inhabited from the seas") describes Tyre's maritime population—sailors, merchants, naval forces. "The renowned city" (ha'ir hahullalah, הָעִיר הַהֻלָּלָה—"the praised city") indicates international fame. Most devastating: "which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it"—Tyre dominated through naval power and commercial control, inspiring fear in competitors. Now the feared becomes the pitied, the strong becomes rubble. This reversal demonstrates God's sovereignty over human pride and power.