# Tarshish

## Facts:

Tarshish was the name of two men in the Old Testament. It was also the name of a city.

* One of Japheth's grandsons was named Tarshish.
* Tarshish was also the name of one of the wise men of King Ahashuerus.
* The city of Tarshish was a very prosperous port city, whose ships carried valuable products to buy, sell, or trade.
* This city was associated with Tyre and is thought to have been a Phoenician city that was somewhat distant from Israel, perhaps on the southern coast of Spain.
* The phrase "ship of Tarshish" refers to a ship capable of sailing long distances across the sea. To "go to Tarshish" was to go anywhere far across the sea.
* The Old Testament prophet Jonah boarded a ship bound for the city of Tarshish instead of obeying God's command to go preach to Nineveh.

(Translation suggestions: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names]])

* The phrase "ship of Tarshish" can be translated "seaworthy ship" or "oceangoing ship." The phrase "go to Tarshish" can be translated "go across the sea" or "go far away."

(See also: [Esther](../names/esther.md), [Japheth](../names/japheth.md), [Jonah](../names/jonah.md), [Nineveh](../names/nineveh.md), [Phoenicia](../names/phonecia.md), [wise men](../other/wisemen.md))

## Bible References:

* [Genesis 10:2-5](rc://en/tn/help/gen/10/02)
* [Isaiah 02:16](rc://en/tn/help/isa/02/16)
* [Jeremiah 10:09](rc://en/tn/help/jer/10/09)
* [Jonah 01:03](rc://en/tn/help/jon/01/03)
* [Psalms 048:07](rc://en/tn/help/psa/048/07)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H8659

## Forms Found in the English ULB:

Tarshish
