Who has purposed this against Tyre, the crown-giver, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honored of the earth, establishing Tyre's political and economic supremacy through the language of kingship and honor. The crown-giver suggests Tyre's role in establishing and legitimizing the rule of others, its influence extending beyond commerce to political matters. The merchants as princes and traders as honored establish the unique status of Tyre's commercial class, the way that economic power has been elevated to political significance. Yet the question "who has purposed this?" expects the reader to supply the answer: God. The oracle's questioning format maintains the pattern of invoking divine agency while allowing the reader to recognize it.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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