patrial from צֹר; a Tsorite or inhabitant of Tsor (i.e. Syrian); (man) of Tyre.
Transliteration:Tsôrîy
Pronunciation:tso-ree'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma צֹרִי (Tsôrîy), transliterated as Tsôrîy, is presented as a patrial adjective or noun derived from צֹר (Tsor), which refers to the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre. Based on this derivation, its core meaning denotes an inhabitant of Tyre, or something "of Tyre," hence "a Tyrian" or "Syrian" in a broader sense, given the historical geographic context. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow, primarily identifying origin and ethnicity linked to this prominent maritime city.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While the Strong's number `{{H6876}}` is typically associated with a different Hebrew word (צָרִי, meaning "balsam" or "balm"), the provided entry specifically defines צֹרִי (Tsôrîy) as "a Tsorite or inhabitant of Tsor (i.e. Syrian); (man) of Tyre." It is important to note that this specific lemma (צֹרִי) functioning as a direct gentilic for "Tyrian" under `{{H6876}}` is not commonly attested in standard biblical concordances for direct occurrences.
However, the city of Tyre (צֹר, `{{H6865}}`) and its people are frequently mentioned throughout the Hebrew Bible, providing the essential context for understanding the concept of "Tyrian." Tyre was a powerful Phoenician city-state, renowned for its maritime trade, wealth, and skilled craftsmen.
* **Alliances and Interactions:** During the reigns of David and Solomon, Tyre, under King Hiram (`{{H2438}}`), maintained a close alliance with Israel, providing timber, skilled laborers, and naval expertise for the construction of the Temple and Solomon's palace ([[1 Kings 5:1-12]], [[2 Chronicles 2:3-16]]). This period highlights a cooperative, though distinct, relationship between the two nations.
* **Economic Power:** Tyre's immense wealth derived from its extensive trade networks, which are vividly described in prophetic texts. It served as a hub for goods from across the ancient world ([[Ezekiel 27]]).
* **Prophetic Condemnation:** Despite its early alliances, Tyre later became a target of severe prophetic judgment due to its pride, arrogance, exploitation of others, and perceived betrayal of covenant relationships. Prophets like Isaiah ([[Isaiah 23]]), Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 25:22]], [[Jeremiah 47:4]]), Ezekiel ([[Ezekiel 26-28]]), Joel ([[Joel 3:4-8]]), Amos ([[Amos 1:9-10]]), and Zechariah ([[Zechariah 9:2-4]]) pronounced divine judgment against Tyre, predicting its destruction and downfall. These oracles often highlight Tyre's self-sufficiency and its disregard for the God of Israel.
* **New Testament Context:** In the New Testament, Jesus visited the region of Tyre and Sidon ([[Matthew 15:21]], [[Mark 7:24-31]]), where he encountered the Syrophoenician woman, demonstrating the reach of His ministry to Gentiles. This suggests a continued presence of "Tyrians" in the broader region.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of צֹרִי (Tsôrîy) is deeply intertwined with several related terms and concepts:
* **צֹר (Tsor):** The foundational term, referring to the city of Tyre itself (`{{H6865}}`). This is the geographical and political entity from which the "Tyrian" identity derives.
* **צידון (Tsidon):** Sidon (`{{H6721}}`), another major Phoenician city, often mentioned alongside Tyre as part of the same cultural and economic sphere. The "Tyre and Sidon" pairing is common in both Old and New Testaments.
* **כְּנַעַן (Kena'an):** Canaan (`{{H3667}}`), the broader land and people group to which Phoenicia (including Tyre) belonged.
* **סוחר (Sokher):** Merchant or trader (`{{H5503}}`). This concept is intrinsically linked to the Tyrians, who were renowned as the foremost traders of the ancient world.
* **חִירָם (Chiram):** Hiram (`{{H2438}}`), the most prominent Tyrian king mentioned in the Bible, whose relationship with David and Solomon shaped much of Israel's early monarchy.
### Theological Significance
The concept of "Tyrian" and the city of Tyre itself carry significant theological weight in the biblical narrative:
* **Worldly Prosperity and Pride:** Tyre serves as a powerful biblical symbol of earthly wealth, mercantile power, and the inherent pride that often accompanies such prosperity. Its extensive trade and luxurious lifestyle epitomized human achievement and self-sufficiency apart from God.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The detailed prophetic pronouncements against Tyre underscore God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, regardless of their perceived strength or impregnability. Tyre's eventual downfall, as predicted by the prophets, illustrates God's justice against arrogance, exploitation, and the rejection of His moral order. It demonstrates that no earthly kingdom, no matter how powerful, can escape divine accountability.
* **Idolatry and Corruption:** While not always explicitly stated as their primary sin, the Tyrians, as Phoenicians, were deeply involved in Baal worship and other pagan practices. Their influence on Israel, particularly during the time of Ahab and Jezebel, brought idolatry into the heart of the Israelite kingdom, highlighting the dangers of unholy alliances and syncretism.
* **Symbol of Opposition and Future Hope:** In some prophetic visions, Tyre's fall represents the ultimate defeat of all earthly powers that oppose God's kingdom. However, some passages also contain hints of future restoration or the inclusion of "Tyrians" among those who will one day acknowledge the Lord ([[Psalm 45:12]], [[Isaiah 23:18]], [[Zechariah 9:7]]), pointing to the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.
### Summary
The term צֹרִי (Tsôrîy), as defined in this study, refers to an "inhabitant of Tyre" or something "of Tyre," connecting directly to the powerful Phoenician city-state of Tyre (צֹר). While the specific lemma's direct biblical occurrences under `{{H6876}}` are not widely documented, the city of Tyre and its people play a significant role in the biblical narrative. They are depicted as a formidable maritime and commercial power, initially allied with Israel, but later becoming a prime example of worldly pride, wealth, and the object of severe divine judgment due to their arrogance and exploitative practices. The theological significance of "Tyrian" lies in its representation of human achievement and self-sufficiency that ultimately falls under God's sovereign judgment, serving as a powerful reminder of the ephemeral nature of earthly kingdoms compared to the enduring reign of God.
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