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Ezekiel 26 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Tyre was attacked at least five different times until 332 BC. The reason none of these were fully successful is because of the unique design of the city. It consisted of the main city just offshore as well as a citadel on the island close by. If the main city came under attack, citizens would simply retreat to the citadel and wait for the attackers to be overcome.
The final destruction of Tyre, which the prophecy may speak of, was when Alexander the Great successfully overran the city and used it’s materials to build a bridge to the island, destroying the citadel. Legend has it Alexander was furious at the difficulty and persistence of the Tyrians, as well as the loss of his men, so he utterly destroyed half the city. It has also been recorded that he crucified 2,000 of the leaders and sold 30,000 others into slavery. The city of Tyre has never been the same.
Again, this was ultimately allowed by God. Tyre was known as an arrogant and prideful city. They believed they were self-sufficient. God is in the business of picking apart our pride until we recognize His Lordship over all and fall to our knees in repentance.