Topical Bible: Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Jonah Would Flee To

◄ Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Jonah Would Flee To ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Biblical References and Significance

Tarshish, sometimes spelled Tharshish, is a location mentioned several times in the Bible, often associated with maritime trade and wealth. It is most famously known as the destination to which the prophet Jonah attempted to flee from God's command. The exact location of Tarshish is a subject of debate among scholars, but it is generally thought to be a distant port, possibly in the western Mediterranean, such as southern Spain or Sardinia.

Jonah's Flight to Tarshish

The Book of Jonah provides the most well-known reference to Tarshish. God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness, but Jonah attempted to escape this divine mission by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. Jonah 1:3 states, "But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD." This act of defiance highlights Tarshish as a symbol of human resistance to God's will, representing a place far removed from the immediate presence of God.

Tarshish in Trade and Wealth

Tarshish is frequently mentioned in the context of trade and wealth, indicating its importance as a commercial hub. In the Book of Ezekiel, Tarshish is noted for its trade in silver, iron, tin, and lead, as seen in Ezekiel 27:12 : "Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise." This suggests that Tarshish was a significant player in the ancient trade networks, dealing in valuable metals and goods.

Solomon's Fleet and Tarshish

King Solomon's reign is also associated with Tarshish through his naval expeditions. According to 1 Kings 10:22 , "For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks." This passage underscores the wealth and exotic goods that were brought from Tarshish, contributing to Solomon's legendary prosperity.

Prophetic References

The prophets also mention Tarshish in their writings, often in the context of judgment or the eschatological future. Isaiah 2:16 speaks of the "ships of Tarshish" in a prophecy against human pride and reliance on wealth: "against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel." This indicates that Tarshish, with its maritime power and wealth, was seen as a symbol of human arrogance that would ultimately be humbled by God.

Cultural and Historical Context

While the precise location of Tarshish remains uncertain, its repeated mention in the Bible as a distant, wealthy, and influential place suggests it was well-known to the ancient Israelites. The association with maritime trade and exotic goods paints a picture of a thriving port city that played a significant role in the economic and cultural exchanges of the ancient world.

In summary, Tarshish serves as a multifaceted symbol in the Bible, representing both the allure of worldly wealth and the futility of fleeing from God's presence. Its mention in various contexts highlights its importance in the biblical narrative as a place of both material abundance and spiritual lessons.

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Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
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Jonah 4:2
And he prayed to the LORD, and said, I pray you, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before to Tarshish: for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent you of the evil.
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