Despite incredible odds this city fulfilled all six prophetic predictions about it.
by Robert Harman
The prophet Ezekiel lived during the time that King Nebuchadnezzar ruled Babylon. Ezekiel predicted six events that would happen to the city of Tyre, along the coast north of Israel. Chapter 26 of Ezekiel names six specific predictions.
Ezekiel predicts that:
- many nations will come against it - v.3,
- Tyre would be made a bare rock - v.4,
- it would be a place for spreading nets - v.5,
- Nebuchadnezzar would conquer the mainland – v.7-8,
- its stones and debris would be thrown into the water – v.12,
- the city would be built no more - v.14.
What does history tell us happened to Tyre?
Three years after the prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar did indeed lay siege to mainland Tyre (#4). After a 13-year siege, Tyre made terms with Nebuchadnezzar in 538 b.c. By then the city was mostly deserted -- the population had moved to an island a mile off the coast.
At this point, it looked like the prophecy had failed. Most of the predictions had not come true!
But 200 years later, in 333 b.c., along came Alexander the Great with his army. After defeating Darius III at the Battle of Issus, he moved down the coast. Tyre on the island was defiant, refusing to surrender. Alexander’s army had no way to get to them, they thought. (But remember prediction 5?)
Alexander decided to connect the mainland to the island. His men took the stones and debris from old Tyre on the mainland and threw them into the sea (#5). They built a road 60 meters [200’] wide out to the island. The old city was thus scraped bare (#2).
The city continued to be built and destroyed for another 1600 years (#1) until it fell, never to be rebuilt (#6).
The site of the old city of Tyre is today a bare rock, used by fishermen to dry their nets (#3).
Every prediction was fulfilled, to the letter!
Is the Bible true?
Ancient prophecies, fulfilled in history, say Yes!
In four related articles, I briefly look at other evidence that supports the Bible. I hope you enjoy them!
4 Top Archaeology Discoveries That Back The Bible
5 Times Jesus Was Documented By Historians of His Time
Two Surprises of Geography That Prove The Bible
Two Methods To Know The Truth
The Journey of a World Changer starts here…