Lexical Summary Tarshish: Tarshish Original Word: תַּרְשִׁישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tarshish, Tharshish Probably the same as tarshiysh (as the region of the stone, or the reverse); 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 -- Tarshish, Tharshish. see HEBREW tarshiysh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tarshish Definition a son of Javan, his desc. and their land, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite, also a Pers. noble NASB Translation Tarshish (29). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. תַּרְשִׁרשׁ proper name 1. location a distant port, site not certainly known (WklAltor. Forsch. see 445); most Tartessues in Spain Thes (after older authorities) GesIsa i. 719 MeyGeschichte. d. Alt. i, § 281; other views are: Tyrseni (Etruscans) in Italy, WMMHast. DB TARSHISH, Phoenicia RenoufPSBA xvi. 134 ff., Sardinia HalREJ xiii. 14; see also Ency. Bib.TARSHISH; — Tarshish, ᵐ5 usually Θαρς(ε)ις (Isaiah 23:1,14 Καρχήδων = Carthage); — especially in phrase ׳אֳנִיּוֺת ת Tarshish-ships (large, sea-going vessels, fit to ply to Tarshish) Isaiah 2:16 (ᵐ5 πλοῖον θαλάσσης), Isaiah 23:1,14; Isaiah 60:9; Ezekiel 27:25; 1 Kings 22:49, "" 2Chronicles 20:36,37 (where the ships go to ׳ת); ׳אֳנִי ת1k 2 Chron 10:22 (twice in verse) "" 2Chronicles 9:21 (אֳנִיּוֺת), + 2 Chronicles 9:21; (ships go to ׳ת); ׳ת alone Isaiah 23:6; Jonah 1:3 (twice in verse); Jonah 4:2 (all with ה locative), Genesis 10:4 "" 1 Chronicles 1:7 (erroneous ה locative), Isaiah 66:19; Psalm 72:10; Jonah 1:3; ׳בַּתתֿ Isaiah 23:10; trading-port Ezekiel 27:12; Ezekiel 38:13, whence comes silver Jeremiah 10:9. 2. masculine a. in Benjamin 1 Chronicles 7:10. b. Persian noble Esther 1:14; explained By Scheft53as Old Iranian tršus, 'der Gierige.' Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 8659 designates a precious stone rendered “beryl,” “chrysolite,” or “topaz” in English versions. Its Old Testament appearances form two main clusters: cultic/architectural settings that display covenant glory, and visionary or poetic passages that depict supernatural brilliance. Together these uses highlight the splendor of God’s presence, the honor of priestly mediation, and the promised beauty of redeemed Zion. Cultic Use in the Tabernacle Exodus 28:20 and Exodus 39:13 place תַּרְשִׁישׁ in the fourth row of the high-priestly breastpiece. Set in gold filigree alongside onyx and jasper, it lay over the heart of Aaron “as a continual memorial before the Lord,” visually binding Israel’s tribal names to covenant mercy. The stone therefore shares in the larger theology of the breastpiece—representing God-given order, intercession, and the nearness of divine glory. Royal and Temple Building When David amassed materials for the yet-unbuilt temple he included “stones of tarshish in abundance” (1 Chronicles 29:2). Their presence among gold, silver, and “costly wood” shows the king’s resolve to offer the very best for the worship of God. Solomon’s later embellishments (cf. 2 Chronicles 3:6 in many manuscripts and translations) continue the pattern: tarshish belongs to settings where holiness and beauty converge. Poetic Imagery of Human Excellence In Song of Songs the beloved’s arms are “rods of gold set with tarshish” (Song of Songs 5:14). The gemstone underscores strength wedded to attractiveness, providing a covenant model of marital delight that mirrors the Lord’s own covenant love. Prophetic Visions of Divine Glory Ezekiel twice uses תַּרְשִׁישׁ to describe the wheels beside the living creatures: “Their appearance was like the gleam of beryl” (Ezekiel 1:16; Ezekiel 10:9). The same prophet lists it among the nine stones adorning Eden’s guardian-cherub (Ezekiel 28:13). Daniel’s encounter with the radiant man includes the line, “His body was like tarshish, his face like lightning” (Daniel 10:6). In each case the stone’s color and translucence convey other-worldly energy—motifs taken up ultimately in Revelation 21:20, where beryl decorates the wall of the New Jerusalem. Themes and Theological Significance 1. Covenant Beauty: Whether on the high priest’s heart or the temple walls, tarshish affirms that God delights in adorning His dwelling and His people (Psalm 27:4; Isaiah 60:13). Practical Ministry Reflections • Worship leaders may note how physical beauty—colors, materials, craftsmanship—serves spiritual ends when dedicated to God. The recurring sparkle of תַּרְשִׁישׁ therefore reminds every generation that the Lord who clothes His sanctuary with splendor also purposes to “make the place of His feet glorious” (Isaiah 60:13)—a promise culminating in the face-to-face communion of the new creation. Forms and Transliterations וְתַרְשִׁ֑ישָׁה וְתַרְשִׁ֑ישׁ וְתַרְשִׁ֖ישׁ ותרשיש ותרשישה מִתַּרְשִׁ֣ישׁ מתרשיש תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃ תַּרְשִׁ֑ישָׁה תַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישָׁה תַּרְשִׁ֔ישׁ תַּרְשִׁ֕ישׁ תַּרְשִׁ֗ישׁ תַּרְשִׁ֜ישׁ תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ תַּרְשִׁ֨ישׁ תַּרְשִׁישׁ֙ תַרְשִׁ֔ישׁ תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ תַרְשִׁ֣ישׁ תַרְשִׁ֤ישׁ תרשיש תרשיש׃ תרשישה mit·tar·šîš mittarShish mittaršîš tar·šî·šāh tar·šîš ṯar·šîš tarShish tarShishah taršîš ṯaršîš taršîšāh vetarShish vetarShishah wə·ṯar·šî·šāh wə·ṯar·šîš wəṯaršîš wəṯaršîšāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:4 HEB: יָוָ֖ן אֱלִישָׁ֣ה וְתַרְשִׁ֑ישׁ כִּתִּ֖ים וְדֹדָנִֽים׃ NAS: [were] Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim KJV: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, INT: of Javan Elishah and Tarshish Kittim and Dodanim 1 Kings 10:22 1 Kings 10:22 1 Kings 22:48 1 Chronicles 1:7 1 Chronicles 7:10 2 Chronicles 9:21 2 Chronicles 9:21 2 Chronicles 20:36 2 Chronicles 20:37 Esther 1:14 Psalm 48:7 Psalm 72:10 Isaiah 2:16 Isaiah 23:1 Isaiah 23:6 Isaiah 23:10 Isaiah 23:14 Isaiah 60:9 Isaiah 66:19 Jeremiah 10:9 Ezekiel 27:12 Ezekiel 27:25 Ezekiel 38:13 Jonah 1:3 28 Occurrences |