THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Thus declares the Lord God concerning Tyre: Will the sound of your downfall and the cries of your slain not cause the islands to tremble? All the rulers of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their armor, and cast off their splendid garments in astonishment. They will sit upon the ground, struck by amazement at your sudden ruin, mourning and exclaiming, "How have you been destroyed, you who dwell by the sea, the renowned city once mighty upon the waters, feared by all its inhabitants!" On the day of your calamity, the ships will arrive in shock, and the islands shall be bewildered, for no one will emerge from you.
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The Lord God also addresses Sora, asking, “At the sound of your downfall, when your wounded rise and the sword is drawn amidst you, will not the islands tremble, and all the sea princes come down from their thrones, removing their crowns and laying aside their regal attire?” They will be terrified, sit on the ground, overwhelmed by fear, mourning for you, and lamenting, “How have you perished and scattered upon the sea, O glorious city that once stood strong upon the waters, striking terror into all who dwelt there!” The islands will be fearful in the day of your fall, and they will be confused by your departure.
Historically, one can explain this by paraphrasing its significant meaning. Thus speaks Adonai the Lord to Tyre, known as Sor in Hebrew. When your destruction occurs, taken by Nebuchadnezzar, and the sounds of the wounded are heard among you, will not the islands tremble? All the kings of the sea will abandon their thrones, laying down their crowns and removing their royal garments. In their astonishment, they will lose their wits and humbled, sit on the earth. Witnessing your downfall, they will regard their own stability as fleeting, lamenting your fate with cries of mourning: “How have you, who inhabited the sea, the once illustrious city, perished?” Historical accounts affirm that Tyre was initially an island, with no land access, yet later became a peninsula through Nebuchadnezzar’s siege or Alexander’s invasions. So, how did you, Sor, who were once the mightiest of islands and celebrated by all, fall so suddenly!
When the day of your terror arrives, the islands will be astonished, for no man departs from you. This period of capture symbolizes the arch of history, and now we will attempt to construct a spiritual perspective. Picture someone who, after a long period of maintaining purity and excelling in virtuous acts, succumbs to significant sin. Upon learning of such a fall and the loss of virtues, will not those exposed to the turbulent waves of this age tremble? Those who once stood proudly will be brought low and cast aside their diadems adorned with good actions, removing their vibrant garments of virtue, utterly astonished and rendered speechless by fear, sitting in disbelief at the sudden downfall of the once unyielding. They will lament, exclaiming, “How have you perished, once so steadfast? How have you fallen, once honored among all on the turbulent waters of this age?”
Your thoughts, representing your inner strength that resisted the temptative arrows of the enemy and instilled fear in adversaries, now falter. The saints traversing these waves will also be astonished at your defeat. In the day of your horror, the islands will be in a state of confusion, fearful for their own destinies. The downfall of another serves as a warning for the righteous; we all exist in fragility and helplessness, navigating instability, where one’s past might not guarantee present security. Therefore, we must remain vigilant, for the glory and steadfastness achieved may quickly be undone by a storm.