8658. tarshish

Lexicon

tarshish: Tarshish

Original Word: תַּרְשִׁישׁ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tarshiysh
Pronunciation: tar-SHEESH
Phonetic Spelling: (tar-sheesh')
Definition: Tarshish
Meaning: a gem, the topaz

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

beryl

Probably of foreign derivation (compare Tarshiysh); a gem, perhaps the topaz -- beryl.

see HEBREW Tarshiysh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
probably of foreign origin
Definition
(a precious stone) perhaps yellow jasper
NASB Translation
beryl (6).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. תַּרְשִׁישׁ noun masculine a precious stone, perhaps yellow jasper, or other gold-coloured stone (ᵐ5^L Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13 χρυσόλιθοχ, so Jos^{Ant. iii. 7}, 5 [168], see Petrie^{Hast. DB STONES, PRECIOUS} Myres^{Ency. Bib. ID. § 17} Dr^{Daniel 10:6}); — ׳כְּעֵין ת Ezekiel 1:6; ׳כְּעֵין אֵבֶן ת Ezekiel 10:9; in list of gems Ezekiel 28:13; Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13; in simile of resplendent body Daniel 10:6, compare Songs 5:14.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from an uncertain origin.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G440: Ἀνθράκιον (Anthrakion) • A term used for a type of precious stone, though not directly equivalent to תַּרְשִׁישׁ.
• G2281: θάλασσα (Thalassa) • While primarily meaning "sea," it is sometimes used metaphorically in contexts involving precious stones or wealth.
• G5555: χρυσόλιθος (Chrysolithos) • Often used in the Septuagint to translate תַּרְשִׁישׁ, indicating a golden or yellow gemstone, traditionally identified as chrysolite or topaz.

Usage: The term תַּרְשִׁישׁ is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to a precious stone, often translated as "topaz" in English. It is mentioned in contexts related to the adornment of high priests and the description of the splendor of the divine.

Context: תַּרְשִׁישׁ (Tarshish) is a term used in the Hebrew Bible to denote a precious stone, traditionally identified as topaz. This gem is noted for its beauty and value, often associated with the high priest's breastplate and the opulence of the divine realm. In Exodus 28:20 and 39:13, תַּרְשִׁישׁ is listed as one of the stones set in the breastplate of judgment worn by the high priest, symbolizing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The stone's inclusion in such a significant religious artifact underscores its importance and esteemed status in ancient Israelite culture.

Additionally, תַּרְשִׁישׁ appears in Ezekiel 28:13, where it is part of the description of the King of Tyre's adornment, metaphorically illustrating the king's former glory and beauty. The mention of תַּרְשִׁישׁ in this context highlights its association with wealth and divine favor.

The exact identification of תַּרְשִׁישׁ as topaz is based on traditional interpretations and translations, though some scholars suggest it may refer to other yellow or golden-hued stones, such as chrysolite. The Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, often translates תַּרְשִׁישׁ as "chrysolithos," supporting the identification with a golden gemstone.

Forms and Transliterations

בַּתַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ בתרשיש כְתַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ כתרשיש תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃ תַּרְשִׁ֔ישׁ תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ תרשיש תרשיש׃ bat·tar·šîš battarShish battaršîš chetarShish ḵə·ṯar·šîš ḵəṯaršîš tar·šîš tarShish taršîš

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 28:20
HEB: וְהַטּוּר֙ הָרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ וְשֹׁ֖הַם וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה
NAS: row a beryl and an onyx
KJV: row a beryl, and an onyx,
INT: row and the fourth A beryl and an onyx jasper

Exodus 39:13
HEB: וְהַטּוּר֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔י תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ שֹׁ֖הַם וְיָשְׁפֵ֑ה
NAS: row, a beryl, an onyx,
KJV: row, a beryl, an onyx,
INT: row and the fourth A beryl an onyx jasper

Songs 5:14
HEB: זָהָ֔ב מְמֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּתַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ מֵעָיו֙ עֶ֣שֶׁת
NAS: Set with beryl; His abdomen
KJV: set with the beryl: his belly
INT: of gold Set beryl his abdomen is carved

Ezekiel 1:16
HEB: וּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם֙ כְּעֵ֣ין תַּרְשִׁ֔ישׁ וּדְמ֥וּת אֶחָ֖ד
NAS: [was] like sparkling beryl, and all four
KJV: [was] like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four
INT: and their workmanship sparkling beryl form had the same

Ezekiel 10:9
HEB: כְּעֵ֖ין אֶ֥בֶן תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃
KJV: [was] as the colour of a beryl stone.
INT: the gleam stone of a beryl

Ezekiel 28:13
HEB: פִּטְדָ֞ה וְיָהֲלֹ֗ם תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ שֹׁ֙הַם֙ וְיָ֣שְׁפֵ֔ה
NAS: and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx
KJV: and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx,
INT: the topaz and the diamond the beryl the onyx and the jasper

Daniel 10:6
HEB: וּגְוִיָּת֣וֹ כְתַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ וּפָנָ֞יו כְּמַרְאֵ֤ה
NAS: His body also [was] like beryl, his face
KJV: His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face
INT: his body beryl his face had the appearance

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8658
7 Occurrences

bat·tar·šîš — 1 Occ.
ḵə·ṯar·šîš — 1 Occ.
tar·šîš — 5 Occ.