The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
A prophecy about Tyre. Cry out in sorrow, you ships of Tarshish, because the city has been completely destroyed—there are no houses left, no harbor to enter. The news of this destruction has reached you from the land of Cyprus.
This verse announces that the great trading city of Tyre will be completely destroyed, causing merchant ships to wail in grief when they discover their major port is gone.
📚 Historical Context
Tyre was a powerful Phoenician trading city on the Mediterranean coast, famous for its wealth and maritime commerce. Tarshish likely refers to trading ships that traveled long distances, possibly to Spain, while Chittim refers to Cyprus. This prophecy was fulfilled when various empires, including Babylon and later Alexander the Great, conquered and devastated Tyre.
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