Τύρος

Tyre

Definition

Τύρος (Tyre) refers to the major Phoenician coastal city-state, a powerful and wealthy commercial hub in antiquity. In the New Testament, it primarily denotes the literal city, often mentioned alongside Sidon as a representative of Gentile regions (e.g., Matthew 11:21-22, Luke 10:13-14). It also signifies the surrounding district or territory, as when Jesus travels into 'the region of Tyre and Sidon' (Matthew 15:21, Mark 7:24, 31). The term carries no significant metaphorical sense in the biblical text; its meaning is consistently geographical.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exclusively as a proper noun for the city and its region across the Gospels and Acts. It appears in prophetic denouncements by Jesus (Matthew 11:21-22, Luke 10:13), narratives of His ministry travels into Gentile areas (Matthew 15:21, Mark 7:24, 31), and in lists describing the wide draw of His ministry from places including Tyre (Mark 3:8, Luke 6:17). Acts 21:3-7 also records Paul's visit to the disciples there. The usage consistently places Tyre as a landmark of the Gentile world interacting with Jesus's and the early church's mission.

Etymology

The Greek Τύρος (Tyros) is a direct transliteration of the city's Phoenician/Hebrew name (צֹר, Tsor), meaning 'rock,' which accurately describes its island fortress location. It entered Greek vocabulary through trade and historical contact, retaining its original referent without semantic shift.

Semantic Range

Tyre is theologically significant as a symbol of Gentile pride, wealth, and judgment (echoing Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah 23, Ezekiel 26-28). Jesus's pronouncement of woe upon Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 11:21-22) highlights the greater accountability of those who witnessed His miracles in Jewish cities. His deliberate travel into its region (Matthew 15:21-28) prefigures the expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles, dramatically illustrated in the faith of the Syrophoenician woman. Thus, the city represents both divine judgment and the surprising inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom.

In the 1st century, Tyre was a renowned, wealthy Mediterranean port city, historically famous for its purple dye, glass, and maritime trade. Though rebuilt on the mainland after Alexander's siege, its original island fortress contributed to its fame and perceived invincibility. For Jewish audiences, it represented pagan commerce, luxury, and a traditional enemy (cf. Ezekiel 26), yet also a nearby trading partner. Understanding it as a powerful Gentile metropolis contrasts with the humble Galilean towns Jesus condemns, intensifying the rhetorical force of His warnings.

Σιδών (Sidōn, G4605) — Often paired with Tyre as the other major Phoenician city, together representing the Gentile coast. Φοινίκη (Phoinikē, G5403) — The broader region/province (Phoenicia) to which Tyre belonged.

Word Details

Scripture References