Tarshish
A Distant Trading Port
Tarshish is most commonly known as a distant maritime port that represented the farthest reaches of the known world to ancient Israelites. Solomon and Hiram of Tyre jointly operated a fleet of 'ships of Tarshish' that brought gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks to Israel (1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21). The phrase 'ships of Tarshish' eventually became a general term for large, ocean-going merchant vessels capable of long voyages, regardless of their actual destination.
Jonah's Failed Escape
Tarshish gained its most famous association when the prophet Jonah attempted to flee there to escape God's command to preach to Nineveh (Jonah 1:3). Jonah boarded a ship at Joppa heading for Tarshish, choosing the farthest possible destination in the opposite direction from Nineveh. His flight illustrates the futility of trying to escape God's presence, as Psalm 139:7-10 declares. The journey to Tarshish represented the maximum distance a person could travel from the land of Israel by sea.
Location Debates
The identification of Tarshish has been debated for centuries. The most common proposal is Tartessus in southern Spain, a wealthy mining region known for its silver, tin, and other metals. This identification fits well with Ezekiel 27:12, which describes Tarshish trading silver, iron, tin, and lead with Tyre. Other proposals include Sardinia, North Africa, or even a location in the Indian Ocean. The name may have been applied to different locations at different periods, or it may have evolved into a general term for any distant, wealthy trading destination.
Tarshish as a Person
Several individuals in Scripture bear the name Tarshish. In 1 Chronicles 7:10, Tarshish is listed as a descendant of Benjamin. In Esther 1:14, Tarshish is one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who had access to the king's presence during the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). The use of the name for individuals suggests it was a recognized personal name in the ancient Near East, perhaps indicating a connection to the famous trading port.
Tarshish as a Gemstone
The Hebrew word tarshish also designates a precious stone mentioned in several passages (Exodus 28:20; 39:13; Ezekiel 1:16; 10:9; 28:13; Song of Solomon 5:14; Daniel 10:6). Most English translations render this as 'beryl,' though the exact identification remains uncertain. The stone appears in the description of the high priest's breastplate and in Ezekiel's vision of the heavenly wheels, where its appearance conveyed brilliance and divine glory.
Prophetic Significance
The prophets used Tarshish as a symbol of distant wealth and human pride. Isaiah prophesied that the 'ships of Tarshish' would be humbled on the day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:16). Ezekiel described Tarshish as one of Tyre's trading partners whose commerce would cease when God judged the great city (Ezekiel 27:12, 25). In these prophetic texts, Tarshish represents the furthest reaches of human commerce and ambition, all of which stand under God's sovereign authority.
Biblical Context
Tarshish appears as a trading destination in 1 Kings 10:22, 2 Chronicles 9:21, Jonah 1:3, Isaiah 2:16, and Ezekiel 27:12. As a person, it appears in 1 Chronicles 7:10 and Esther 1:14. As a gemstone, it is mentioned in Exodus 28:20, Ezekiel 1:16, Song of Solomon 5:14, and Daniel 10:6.
Theological Significance
Tarshish represents the outer limits of the known world, making it a powerful symbol of both human ambition and divine sovereignty. Jonah's flight to Tarshish demonstrates that no distance can separate a person from God's call. The prophetic warnings against the ships of Tarshish teach that even the greatest commercial empires are subject to God's judgment. The tarshish stone in priestly and prophetic visions connects the name to divine glory and revelation.
Historical Background
Tartessus in southern Spain, the most commonly proposed identification, was a wealthy kingdom known to the Phoenicians and Greeks for its mineral resources. Phoenician trade routes to the western Mediterranean are well documented through archaeological finds at sites in Spain, Sardinia, and North Africa. The phrase 'ships of Tarshish' appears in both biblical and Phoenician inscriptions, confirming its use as a designation for large trading vessels. The tin and silver trade from the western Mediterranean was one of the most important commercial networks of the ancient world.