Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Tyre was a very rich City, and greatly renowned in regard of the traffic which all nations had with it, as also in regard of the towns of war and Cities habitable which it built: as Carthage, which imitated the Roman Empire; Utique, Leptis, Gades, and other Cities, who all sent their presents to Tyre; hereby protesting, that they acknowledged this to be the mother City. But Isaiah threatens it with destruction,¹ because it wronged the people of God; as we may gather out of Ezekiel, 26.2. For we are chiefly to consider the cause of this destruction, in regard it is the Prophets meaning to reveal Gods fatherly love to his elect and chosen people, who meant to set himself against all their enemies. Some think that this should be referred to the siege of Alexander, ²who took Tyre with great difficulty. But this supposition is too weak, because Isaiah mentions Chittim, under which name the Hebrews not only comprehend the Macedonians, but other nations also, as the Greeks, and all those which are beyond the seas. Now King Nebuchadnezzar used the help not only of the soldiers of his own Country in this siege, but other strangers also which he had called from among the Greeks and other places. Besides, the Greeks are spoken of for another respect, as we shall see by and by after; namely, because in time to come, they should not bring their ships any more to Tyre, to trade there. Yet the end of this Chapter gives me occasion to be of a contrary opinion, because Isaiah speaks there of the restoration of Tyre, which was never repaired after Alexander the Great took it by force. Moreover, when I confer Ezekiels words with these, me thinks they make but one prophecy. He speaks not then of Alexander, but of Nebuchadnezzar; and so doubtless it is to be expounded. Add hereunto, that in the time of Ezekiel and Isaiah, this City was under the command of a king: but when Alexander took it, the histories say, it was brought into the form of a Commonwealth. And if we shall consider the end of the prophecy, we shall be sufficiently confirmed in this opinion: for his purpose was to comfort the Jews, by threatening an inevitable punishment to the Tyrians, of whom they had been afflicted.

TYre was a verie rich Citie, and greatly renowned in regard of the traffique which all nations had with it, as also in regard of the townes of warre and Cities habitable which it built: as Carthage, which imitated the Roman Empire; Vtique, Leptis, Gades, and other Cities, who all sent their presents to Tyre; hereby protesting, that they acknowledged this to be the mother Citie. But Isaiah threatens it with destruction,