Bible Dictionary
TYRE, LADDER OF
The Ladder of Tyre was a rugged natural boundary on the Phoenician coast, identified with the area near modern Ras-en-Naqurah. In the Maccabean period it marked the northern limit of territory assigned to Simon Thassi.
Definition
The Ladder of Tyre was a rugged natural boundary on the Phoenician coast where the hills of Upper Galilee descend sharply to the sea. It marked the northern limit of territory assigned to Simon Thassi.
Biblical Usage
In 1 Maccabees 11:59, the Ladder of Tyre is given as the northern boundary of the territory placed under Simon’s authority by Antiochus VI in 143 BC.
Historical Background
The supplied material identifies it with Ras-en-Naqurah rather than Ras-el-‘Abyad. Its steep precipices and lack of a beach formed a natural barrier between the regions of Israel and Tyre.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(klimakos Turou): Given. in 1 Macc 11:59 as the northern limit of the territory placed under the authority of Simon Thassi the Maccabee by Antiochus VI (Theos), in the year 143 BC. The statement of Josephus (B J, II, x, 2) that it was 100 furlongs North of Ptolemais, and a similar indication of position in the Jerusalem Talmud (Ab Zar 19) lead us to identify it with Ras-en-Naqurah and not with Ras-el-`Abyad (Promontorium Album of Pliny), as has been done. Here the rugged hills of Upper Galilee descend in bold precipices to the sea and leave no beach between. A natural barrier is thus formed which prevented the histories of Israel and Tyre from ever touching one another except in peaceful relations.</p><p>W. M. Christie</p>