Lexical Summary Turos: Tyre Original Word: Τύρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tyre. Of Hebrew origin (Tsor): Tyrus (i.e. Tsor), a place in Palestine -- Tyre. see HEBREW Tsor NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin, cf. Tsor Definition Tyre, a city of Phoenicia NASB Translation Tyre (11). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5184: ΤύροςΤύρος, Τύρου, ἡ (Hebrew צור or צֹר; from Aramaic טוּר, a rock), Tyre, a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean, very ancient, large, splendid, flourishing in commerce, and powerful by land and sea. In the time of Christ and the apostles it was subject to the Romans, but continued to possess considerable wealth and prosperity down to Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Tyre was the chief port of Phoenicia, situated on a rocky island and a stretch of mainland coastline some twenty-five miles south of Sidon and about thirty-five miles north of Mount Carmel. The city commanded the maritime trade routes of the eastern Mediterranean and was famed for its purple dye, glassware, skilled artisans, and extensive colonies (notably Carthage). By the first century Tyre was under Roman rule yet retained a measure of commercial autonomy, a Greek cultural veneer, and a sizable Jewish population with its own synagogue (compare Acts 21:4). Old Testament Background Tyre’s prominence reaches back to the reigns of David and Solomon. Hiram, king of Tyre, supplied cedar, craftsmen, and gold for the temple (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1–12). The alliance later deteriorated through Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, who imported Baal worship into Israel (1 Kings 16:31). Prophets denounced Tyre’s pride and mercantile greed (Isaiah 23; Ezekiel 26–28; Amos 1:9–10; Zechariah 9:2–4). These oracles predicted judgment, temporary desolation, and eventual restoration, preparing readers for the city’s role in the Gospels and Acts. Intertestamental Era Between Old and New Testament times Tyre endured sieges by the Babylonians and Persians, and famously by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, when the island stronghold was breached by a causeway. Hellenistic influence deepened, and by the Roman period Tyre minted its own coins and was the provincial capital of Syria-Phoenicia. New Testament Mentions The Greek term Τύρος (Tyre) occurs eleven times in the New Testament: • Matthew 11:21–22; Luke 10:13–14 – Jesus contrasts Chorazin and Bethsaida with Tyre and Sidon, declaring that Gentile cities would have repented at the mighty works Israel ignored. Jesus' Ministry and Tyre Leaving the borders of Israel for the “territory of Tyre” (Mark 7:24) was a deliberate step. By healing the Gentile girl Jesus signaled the inclusive scope of His messianic mission. His words, “Let the children be satisfied first” (Mark 7:27), respect Israel’s covenant priority while highlighting the overflowing mercy that would feed the “dogs under the table,” i.e., the nations. The mother’s persistent faith foreshadows the Gentile response anticipated in Matthew 11:21–22. Paul's Travels Through Tyre Acts records an established Christian community only a few decades after Pentecost. The brethren’s prophetic concern for Paul illustrates the widespread operation of the Spirit and the interconnection of churches beyond Judea. Their escort to the ship, kneeling together on the beach for prayer (Acts 21:5–6), offers a snapshot of first-century fellowship and mutual submission to God’s will. Prophetic and Theological Significance 1. Fulfillment of Judgment and Mercy: Tyre experienced repeated historical devastations, fulfilling the gist of Ezekiel’s laments, yet the continued habitation and eventual gospel witness demonstrate divine mercy. Lessons for Disciples Today • God opposes arrogance yet welcomes humble faith, regardless of pedigree. Tyre’s narrative arc—from proud merchant city, to prophetic exemplar of downfall, to recipient of Christ’s compassion, to harbor of early believers—magnifies the sovereignty, justice, and grace of God at work throughout Scripture. Forms and Transliterations ετυρώθη ετύρωσας τετυρωμένα τετυρωμένον Τυρον Τύρον Τυρου Τύρου Τυρω τυρώ Τύρῳ Turo Turō Turon Turou Tyro Tyrō Týroi Týrōi Tyron Týron Tyrou TýrouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:21 N-DFSGRK: εἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι NAS: had occurred in Tyre and Sidon KJV: had been done in Tyre and Sidon, INT: if in Tyre and Sidon Matthew 11:22 N-DFS Matthew 15:21 N-GFS Mark 3:8 N-AFS Mark 7:24 N-GFS Mark 7:31 N-GFS Luke 6:17 N-GFS Luke 10:13 N-DFS Luke 10:14 N-DFS Acts 21:3 N-AFS Acts 21:7 N-GFS Strong's Greek 5184 |