Lexical Definition

‎תַּרְשִׁישׁ‎ Tarshîysh (tar-sheesh') Tarshish ^N:N-M-P
probably the same as ‎תַּרְשִׁישׁ‎ (as the region of the stone, or the reverse)

Tarshish, Tharshish.

• § Tarshish or Tharshish = "yellow jasper"
• Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port)
• also the name of a Persian and of an Israelite

n pr m
1) son of Javan
2) a Benjamite, son of Bilhan
3) one of the wise men close to king Ahasuerus of Persia
n pr loc
4) a city of the Phoenicians in a distant part of the Mediterranean Sea to which the prophet Jonah was trying to flee
1a) site unknown but perhaps in Cyprus or Spain
5) a city somewhere near and accessible to the Red Sea to which ships constructed at Ezion-geber on the Elanitic Gulf on the Red Sea were to sail

Extended Information

• perhaps in Cyprus or Spain

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. ‎תַּרְשִׁרשׁ‎ proper name

1. location a distant port, site not certainly known (Wkl^{Altor. Forsch.} see 445); most Tartessues in Spain Thes (after older authorities) Ges^{Isa i. 719} Mey^{Geschichte. d. Alt. i, § 281}; other views are: Tyrseni (Etruscans) in Italy, WMM^{Hast. DB TARSHISH}, Phoenicia Renouf^{PSBA xvi. 134 ff.}, Sardinia Hal^{REJ xiii. 14}; see also Ency. Bib.^TARSHISH; — Tarshish, ᵐ5 usually Θαρς(ε)ις (Isa 23:1; Isa 23:14 Καρχήδων = Carthage); — especially in phrase ‎׳‎‎אֳנִיּוֺת ת‎ Tarshish-ships (large, sea-going vessels, fit to ply to Tarshish) Isa 2:16 (ᵐ5 πλοῖον θαλάσσης), Isa 23:1; Isa 23:14; Isa 60:9; Ezek 27:25; 1Kgs 22:49*, || 2Chr 20:36; 2Chr 20:37 (where the ships go to ‎׳‎‎ת‎); ‎׳‎‎אֳנִי ת‎ 1 k 2Chr 10:22 (twice in verse) || 2Chr 9:21 (‎אֳנִיּוֺת‎), + v2Chr 9:21 (ships go to ‎׳‎‎ת‎); ‎׳‎‎ת‎ alone Isa 23:6; Jonah 1:3 (twice in verse); Jonah 4:2 (all with ‎ה‎ locative), Gen 10:4 || 1Chr 1:7 (erroneous ‎ה‎ locative), Isa 66:19; Ps 72:10; Jonah 1:3 ‎׳‎‎בַּתתֿ‎ Isa 23:10 trading-port Ezek 27:12; Ezek 38:13, whence comes silver Jer 10:9.

2. masculine a. in Benjamin 1Chr 7:10.
b. Persian noble Esth 1:14 explained By Scheft^{53 as} Old Iranian tršus, 'der Gierige.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Tarshish • In Benjamin • Distant maritime city known for its wealth and trade

Tarshish, a distant maritime city known for its ships, wealth, and trade, possibly located in southern Spain (1 Kgs. 10:22; Isa. 23:1; Jonah 1:3).

• A location in Benjamin Tribe first mentioned at 1Ki.10.22;
• only referred to as Tarshish תַּרְשִׁישׁ.
  

Tarshish was a distant maritime city or region mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. It was known for its ships, which were used in long-distance trade (1 Kgs. 10:22; 2 Chr. 9:21). The "ships of Tarshish" became a symbol of wealth and commercial power (Isa. 2:16; 23:1, 14; 60:9; Ezek. 27:25). Tarshish was a source of silver, iron, tin, and lead (Jer. 10:9; Ezek. 27:12). It was also associated with other distant and exotic locations, such as Sheba and Seba (Ps. 72:10). The exact location of Tarshish is uncertain, but many scholars believe it was situated in southern Spain, possibly near the ancient Phoenician colony of Tartessus. In the book of Jonah, the prophet attempts to flee from God's presence by sailing to Tarshish, emphasizing its distance from Israel (Jonah 1:3). The wealth and splendor of Tarshish are used as a metaphor for God's judgment (Isa. 23:6, 10; Ezek. 38:13). Despite its prominence, Tarshish would ultimately be subject to God's sovereignty (Ps. 48:7).

All entries for Tarshish: תַּרְשִׁישׁ