For thus saith the Lord God
What follows; and declares by name the person that should be the instrument of this ruin, and the manner in which it should be brought about: I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon;
a prince whose name was terrible, having conquered many nations: the Lord is said to bring him against Tyre, because, he inclined his heart to steer his course this way; encouraged him to this work; led and protected his army; and, at last, gave him success: it held out thirteen years against him, and then was taken. The siege began, according to Mr. Whiston F6, A.M. 3650 or before Christ 586; and was taken A.M. 3663 or before Christ 573; according to Bishop Usher, F7, it began A.M. 3419 or before Christ 585; and was taken A.M. 3432 or before Christ 572. The Phoenician historians make mention of the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar; and Berosus speaks of his subduing the whole country of Phoenicia, in which Tyre was; with whom agree Philostratus and Megasthenes F8: a king of kings from the north;
who had many kings tributaries to him; the metropolis of whose kingdom lay somewhat, though not fully, north to Tyre: with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and
much people:
with a very numerous army, consisting of a large cavalry; horses being very numerous in the countries subject to him; and which he mounted his men on, both for their more easy travelling, and for their better fighting, and for the terror of their enemies.