Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities—This section (28:11-19) shifts from Tyre's king to a figure some interpret as Satan's fall, though primarily addressing Tyre's prince. חִלַּלְתָּ מִקְדָּשֶׁיךָ (ḥillaltā miqdāshêkā, 'you have profaned your sanctuaries') suggests corrupting holy places through עֲוֺנֶיךָ (ăwōnekhā, 'your iniquities').
By the iniquity of thy traffick—בְּעֶוֶל רְכֻלָּתְךָ (bĕʿewel rĕkhullātĕkhā, 'by the injustice of your trade'). Commerce itself became corrupt: dishonest scales, exploitation, greed. Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee—God brings אֵשׁ מִתּוֹכֶךָ (ʾēsh mittôkhekhā, 'fire from within you'). Judgment emerges from Tyre's own corruption, consuming from inside out. Self-destruction through accumulated sin is a consistent biblical principle (Galatians 6:7-8).
Historical Context
Tyre's 'sanctuaries' likely refer to temples to Melqart (Tyrian Baal) and Astarte, mixed with commercial halls. Phoenician religion intertwined with commerce—prosperity was seen as divine favor. Archaeological excavations show Tyrian temples contained treasury rooms, suggesting worship had become transactional. This corrupted worship system would be destroyed along with the city.
Questions for Reflection
How does commercial success tempt us to corrupt worship by making it transactional?
What does fire emerging 'from the midst' teach about sin's self-destructive nature?
How can legitimate business become 'iniquity of traffick'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities—This section (28:11-19) shifts from Tyre's king to a figure some interpret as Satan's fall, though primarily addressing Tyre's prince. חִלַּלְתָּ מִקְדָּשֶׁיךָ (ḥillaltā miqdāshêkā, 'you have profaned your sanctuaries') suggests corrupting holy places through עֲוֺנֶיךָ (ăwōnekhā, 'your iniquities').
By the iniquity of thy traffick—בְּעֶוֶל רְכֻלָּתְךָ (bĕʿewel rĕkhullātĕkhā, 'by the injustice of your trade'). Commerce itself became corrupt: dishonest scales, exploitation, greed. Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee—God brings אֵשׁ מִתּוֹכֶךָ (ʾēsh mittôkhekhā, 'fire from within you'). Judgment emerges from Tyre's own corruption, consuming from inside out. Self-destruction through accumulated sin is a consistent biblical principle (Galatians 6:7-8).