Tarshish in Easton's Bible Dictionary
a Sanscrit or Aryan word, meaning "the sea coast." (1.) One
of
the "sons" of Javan (Gen. 10:4; 1 Chr. 1:7).
(2.) The name of a place which first comes into
notice in the
days of Solomon. The question as to the locality of
Tarshish has
given rise to not a little discussion. Some think
there was a
Tarshish in the East, on the Indian coast, seeing
that "ships of
Tarshish" sailed from Eziongeber, on the Red Sea (1
Kings 9:26;
22:48; 2 Chr. 9:21). Some, again, argue that
Carthage was the
place so named. There can be little doubt, however,
that this is
the name of a Phoenician port in Spain, between the
two mouths
of the Guadalquivir (the name given to the river by
the Arabs,
and meaning "the great wady" or water-course). It
was founded by
a Carthaginian colony, and was the farthest western
harbour of
Tyrian sailors. It was to this port Jonah's ship was
about to
sail from Joppa. It has well been styled "the Peru
of Tyrian
adventure;" it abounded in gold and silver mines.
It appears that this name also is used without
reference to
any locality. "Ships of Tarshish" is an expression
sometimes
denoting simply ships intended for a long voyage
(Isa. 23:1,
14), ships of a large size (sea-going ships),
whatever might be
the port to which they sailed. Solomon's ships were
so styled (1
Kings 10:22; 22:49).
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