8658. tarshish
Lexical Summary
tarshish: beryl

Original Word: תַּרְשִׁישׁ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tarshiysh
Pronunciation: tar-SHEESH
Phonetic Spelling: (tar-sheesh')
KJV: beryl
NASB: beryl
Word Origin: [probably of foreign derivation]

1. a gem, perhaps 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 (ᵐ5L Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13 χρυσόλιθοχ, so JosAnt. iii. 7, 5 [168], see PetrieHast. DB STONES, PRECIOUS MyresEncy. Bib. ID. § 17 DrDaniel 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
Identity of the Stone

The noun תַּרְשִׁישׁ designates a precious gem whose hue suggests a shimmering sea-green or golden luster. English versions render it variously as “beryl,” “topaz,” or “chrysolite.” All three minerals share a transparent brilliance that reflects and refracts light, making the stone an apt emblem of glory and purity wherever Scripture employs it.

Role in Priestly Service (Exodus 28:20; 39:13)

Placed in the fourth row of the high priest’s breastpiece, תַּרְשִׁישׁ was one of the twelve memorial stones borne “over his heart when he enters the Holy Place, as a continual memorial before the LORD” (Exodus 28:29). Its inclusion attests to Israel’s corporate worth before God. Every gem differed in color and character, yet each was set in identical gold filigree, underscoring the unity and equal covenant standing of the tribes. The gemstone’s radiant clarity invites meditation on the holiness required of those who minister in God’s presence and points forward to the “living stones” built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).

Literary and Poetic Usage (Song of Songs 5:14)

The shepherd-king’s arms are praised as “rods of gold set with beryl” (Song of Songs 5:14), a poetic picture mixing strength (rods of gold) with loveliness (beryl inlay). The line evokes the Messiah’s matchless combination of royal authority and gentle beauty. Within marital imagery, the stone thus becomes a symbol of covenant faithfulness—as secure and splendid as the jewel itself.

Prophetic Visions and Theophanies (Ezekiel 1:16; 10:9; Daniel 10:6)

1. In Ezekiel’s inaugural vision the wheels beside the cherubim gleam “like beryl” (Ezekiel 1:16; 10:9). The dazzling mobility of God’s throne conveys His omnipresence; the gemlike radiance signals the perfection of His judgments.
2. Daniel, standing by the Tigris, beholds a mighty figure whose “body was like beryl” (Daniel 10:6). The angelic messenger’s gemstone brilliance magnifies the transcendent glory of the heavenly realm and prepares the prophet for sobering revelation. Both prophets anchor their messages in the holiness of God displayed through tarshish-light.

Edenic Splendor and the Fall of the Anointed Cherub (Ezekiel 28:13)

Addressing the king of Tyre, the prophet lists תַּרְשִׁישׁ among nine stones adorning the garden of God. The verse recalls an unfallen order lavished with beauty that was forfeited through pride. The presence of this gem in the catalog positions it as a witness to both original creation glory and the tragedy of rebellion—warning every generation that outward brilliance does not guarantee inward righteousness.

Theological and Ministry Significance

• Revelation of Divine Character: Each flash of תַּרְשִׁישׁ in Scripture reflects God’s unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). Ministries centered on His Word must cherish and mirror that light, refusing dull compromise.
• Call to Holiness: Set upon the priestly breastpiece, the stone reminds believers that intercession must be anchored in personal purity (Hebrews 7:26-27).
• Assurance of Providence: The wheeled chariot of Ezekiel, radiant with tarshish, reassures God’s people that His sovereign purposes move flawlessly through history.
• Hope of Restoration: Eden’s lost splendor will be surpassed in the New Jerusalem where every precious stone reappears (Revelation 21:19-20). The recurring motif of dazzling gems, including beryl, assures the church that redemption culminates in a glory far brighter than the first creation.

Occurrence Summary

Exodus 28:20; Exodus 39:13 — Breastpiece stone

Song of Songs 5:14 — Poetic metaphor of beauty and strength

Ezekiel 1:16; 10:9 — Radiant wheels of the throne-chariot

Ezekiel 28:13 — Ornament of Edenic perfection

Daniel 10:6 — Appearance of the angelic messenger

From priestly garments to prophetic visions, תַּרְשִׁישׁ consistently points to the splendor and holiness of the LORD, calling every generation to worship Him in the beauty of holiness and to await the day when His glory fills the earth as the waters cover the sea.

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
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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.

8657
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