This blog aims to explore the Israelites’ encounter with Tarshish, a foreign nation mentioned in the Bible. A Marine Corps Combat veteran, I find myself drawn to this seafaring people as a way of understanding my own post-war experience. I hope through this exploration both veterans and civilians can gain new insight into their own lives, just as the Israelites did when they saw (and were seen by) Tarshish.
the first mention in Scripture of commercial piracy and the launching of a pursuit that links the Judean monarchy with ancient Phoenicia. It is also one of the earliest records in the Bible of an eye-witness account by a participant. We read the story through the eyes of king Solomon, who controls the narrative and uses it to make his case for justice against Tarshish and other nations like Greece and Cyprus who are engaged in acts of aggression against Israel.Tarshish was a Biblical nation, whose people participated in the Exodus from Egypt and settled in Israel. Tarshish was an ancient nation which traded extensively with other nations, including the Philistines and Phoenicians. It was mentioned in the Bible along with other African nations, like Kittim (Cyprus)
Tarshish In the Bible
1. Jonah’s Journey to Tarshish
In the book of Jonah, we read about a man named Jonah who is instructed by God to go to the city of Nineveh to deliver a message of repentance. However, instead of obeying God’s command, Jonah decides to flee to Tarshish, a city known for its wealth and prosperity. This act of disobedience leads Jonah to a series of trials and tribulations as he is swallowed by a great fish and eventually forced to fulfill God’s original plan.
2. Tarshish as a Land of Trading
In the book of Ezekiel, Tarshish is described as a wealthy trading partner with Tyre, a city known for its commerce and wealth. Tarshish is mentioned in Ezekiel 27:12-25 as a source of precious metals, silver, iron, tin, and lead, among other goods. This portrayal of Tarshish as a land of trading and abundance highlights its importance in the ancient world.
3. Tarshish’s Relationship with Jerusalem
In the book of Isaiah, Tarshish is mentioned in reference to its relationship with Jerusalem. Isaiah 60:9 speaks of ships of Tarshish bringing the people of Jerusalem back from exile, symbolizing a restoration of prosperity and unity. This depiction of Tarshish as a source of salvation and redemption shows its significance within biblical narratives.
Verses About Tarshish
20 Verses About Tarshish from 9 Books
Genesis 10:4
And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
Chronicles-1 1:7
And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
Chronicles-2 9:21
For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.
Chronicles-2 20:37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
Esther 1:14
And the next unto him [was] Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, [and] Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, [and] which sat the first in the kingdom;)
Psalms 48:7
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
Psalms 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Isaiah 23:1
The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
Isaiah 23:6
Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
Isaiah 23:10
Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: [there is] no more strength.
Isaiah 23:14
Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
Isaiah 60:9
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Jeremiah 10:9
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple [is] their clothing: they [are] all the work of cunning [men].
Ezekiel 27:12
Tarshish [was] thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all [kind of] riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
Ezekiel 27:25
The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.
Ezekiel 38:13
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jonah 4:2
And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.