Zechariah 9:3

3 Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust and gold like the dirt of the streets.

Zechariah 9:3 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 9:3

And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold
Tyre was built upon a rock, and was a strong fortress itself, from whence it had its name; and, besides its natural defence, it had a wall one hundred and fifty feet high, and its breadth was answerable to its height ^F5; but yet, as it could not defend itself against Alexander the great, who took it; so neither against the Gospel of Christ, which found its way into it, and was mighty to pull down strong holds in a spiritual sense: and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the
streets;
the riches of these cities, especially Tyre, are often made mention of; they were famous for their wealth, being places of great trade and merchandise; see ( Isaiah 23:2 Isaiah 23:8 ) ( Ezekiel 27:3 ) ( Ezekiel 28:4 Ezekiel 28:5 ) all which were to be holiness to the Lord, and for the sufficient feeding and durable clothing of them that dwell before him, ( Isaiah 23:18 ) his ministers.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Arrian. de Exped. Alex. l. 2. c. 21.

Zechariah 9:3 In-Context

1 An Oracle The word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus is its resting place- for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the Lord -

2 and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.

3 Tyre has built herself a fortress; she has heaped up silver like dust and gold like the dirt of the streets.

4 Listen! The Lord will impoverish her and cast her wealth into the sea; she herself will be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon will see it and be afraid; Gaza too, and will writhe in great pain, as will Ekron, for her hope will fail. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will become uninhabited.