sadanyagci said:
There are prophecies in Ezekiel mentioning the destruction of Tyre (Ezekiel 26), and Egypt (Ezekiel 29). Historically, I can't see how they occurred.
I do know that Rabbis of the time would have at least said something about it. They would have read the prophecies and said something about them. What was their opinion?
Now, I'm one who has found many "contradictions" in the Bible and researched them, finding out that they aren't contradictions in the original languages. I started calling them "apparent contradictions" about 4 years ago, because that happened so often. This one, however, is really taxing me.
I've never actually found help by others in these topics, but I've seen more seeking God and truth and family here than anywhere. So I ask here. My heart and mind are tired. Does anyone have any information on this?
Hi Sadanyagci,
First, how do you pronounce your name? It's very interesting. What does it mean? It looks like it might sound like "sah-dan-yahg-she" or something like that.
Anyway, one thing to consider is that we may not always know the historical details concerning every prophetic fulfillment. Prophecies can be fulfilled without leaving behind a historical record. They meant something to those people at that time, who are now long gone.
On the other hand, a number of commentators supply some historical information about the prophecies against both Tyre and Egypt.
For Tyre:
"The siege of Tyre lasted thirteen years beginning 585 b.c., about three years after the capture of Jerusalem. While besieging Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar had driven Pharaoh Hophra back to the borders of Egypt. Tyre being thus relieved from a dangerous enemy, was exulting in her own deliverance, and in her neighbor’s ruin, when Ezekiel predicted the calamity about to befall her. The name Tyre means rock, and was given to the city in consequence of its position. This island-rock was the heart of Tyre, and the town upon the continent - called “Old Tyre,” possibly as having been the temporary position of the first settlers - was the outgrowth of the island city. The scanty records of ancient history give no, distinct evidence of the capture of insular Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar; but the fact is very probable. Compare especially Eze_26:7-12; Eze_29:18. The present state of Tyre is one of utter desolation, though the end was long delayed (compare Isa. 23). Tyre was great and wealthy under Persian, Greek, Roman, and even Muslim masters. The final ruin of Tyre was due to the sultan of Egypt (1291 a.d.)." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)
For Egypt:
"...The truth of the prediction in Eze_29:13-16 has been confirmed by history, inasmuch as Egypt never recovered its former power after the Chaldean period." (Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament)
"...Now this is supposed to have had its accomplishment soon after, when this Pharaoh, in defence of Aricius king of Libya, who had been expelled his kingdom by the Cyrenians, levied a great army, and went out against the Cyrenians, to re-establish his friend, but was defeated in battle, and all his forces were put to flight, which gave such disgust to his kingdom that they rose in rebellion against him. Thus was he left thrown into the wilderness, he and all the fish of the river with him. Thus issue men's pride, and presumption, and carnal security. Thus men justly lose what they might call their own, under God, when they call it their own against him." (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible)
So, concerning Tyre, we know that Tyre is no longer inhabited, fulfilling the end result of the prophecy against her: "I will give you terrors, and you will not be. Though you are sought, yet you shall never be found forever says the Lord Jehovah." (Ezekiel 26:21) This has proven to be true, so the details prior to that likely happened, though we simply don't know what they are from history. Maybe someday a detailed account of the fall of Tyre will be found, and it will certainly match the Biblical prophecy.
As for Egypt, again, we know what the end result is, and it matches with the prophecy. Egypt is desert and waste still today (Ezekiel 29:9) and they are no longer a great kingdom that rules over nations (Ezekiel 29:15). Also the scattering of the Egyptians into other nations is actually recorded by Berosus and is found in the Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus. I also found one commentary concerning the cities of Egypt deserted for forty years: "The country from Migdol or Magdolan, which was on the isthmus between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, was so completely ruined, that it might well be called desert; and it is probable that this desolation continued during the whole of the reign of Amasis, which was just forty years. See Herod. lib. 3 c. 10; and see Calmet." (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible)
Hope this helps! It is always amazing to me to see the fulfillment of prophecy. Even though we don't always know the details because historical records are so scant from those time periods, we can see the end results in many cases, and know that the details have been fulfilled as well.
John for Christ
