Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
The verse belongs to the prophecy or burden concerning Tyre, among the judgments pronounced on nations and peoples. Tyre was a major Phoenician commercial city whose ancient mainland site had been replaced by a city on an island. The ships of Tarshish are told to howl or mourn because Tyre, their strength and source of support, is laid waste.
The prophecy foretells Tyre's destruction by the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar. Many citizens escape but find no lasting rest in refuge, the city is restored after seventy years and later destroyed, and it never regains its former importance. Tyre was later destroyed by Alexander, who used its stones, timber, and dust to build a causeway to New Tyre.
In time Tyre is associated with worship of the true God. Tyre becomes a place where fishermen dry their nets. The verse has been fulfilled in the destruction of Tyre, with the ocean singing a perpetual dirge above her. Its fulfillment proves the Bible bears the impress of the Mind that controls human destiny and exhibits the scope and accuracy of prophetic vision.
The verse belongs to the prophecy or burden concerning Tyre, among the judgments pronounced on nations and peoples. Tyre was a major Phoenician commercial city whose ancient mainland site had been replaced by a city on an island. The ships of Tarshish are told to howl or mourn because Tyre, their strength and source of support, is laid waste.
The prophecy foretells Tyre's destruction by the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar. Many citizens escape but find no lasting rest in refuge, the city is restored after seventy years and later destroyed, and it never regains its former importance. Tyre was later destroyed by Alexander, who used its stones, timber, and dust to build a causeway to New Tyre.
In time Tyre is associated with worship of the true God. Tyre becomes a place where fishermen dry their nets. The verse has been fulfilled in the destruction of Tyre, with the ocean singing a perpetual dirge above her. Its fulfillment proves the Bible bears the impress of the Mind that controls human destiny and exhibits the scope and accuracy of prophetic vision.