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 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."