Metaphysical meaning of Tyre (mbd)
Tyre (in A. V., Jeremiah 25:22, Tyrus), tyre (Gk.)--compressed; pressed together; strength; rock; refuge; shelter; stone; pebble; stone knife; cutting; carving; forming; fashioning.
A city on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, near the northwestern border of Palestine (Joel 3:4- Matt. 15:21).
Meta. Tyre (compressed, rock, strength, shelter, cutting, carving) and Sidon (lier in wait, catching of fish, hunter, trapper, beast of prey, fishery) refer to the realm of sensation in man's consciousness, with its numberless thoughts and tendencies. This realm must be consciously entered and spiritualized by the Christ. It has not heretofore been illumined by Spirit, and has been considered too material to be worthy of spiritualization.
The "king of Tyre" (Ezek. 28:12) is the personal ego, the ruling power in the sense man. In connection with him, the precious stones (Ezek. 28:13) evidently refer to the spiritual man. The picture of Tyre given by Ezekiel shows it to be sense consciousness puffed up with pride and self-sufficiency. The prophet describes the overthrow of the sinful consciousness, at the same time giving a most remarkable declaration of the innate perfection of man. "Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." (See Ezek. 28:12-17.)
The cities referred to in Matthew 11:20-24 are symbols of fixed states of thought in the individual. Tyre and Sidon represent the state of mind that makes no excuse for wrongdoing, but when brought to judgment under the law is willing to admit its error and repent.________________________
Preceding Entry: Tyrannus
