Tarshish

2 definitions found

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:

  Tarshish
     a Sanscrit or Aryan word, meaning "the sea coast." (1.) One of
     the "sons" of Javan (Gen. 10:4; 1 Chr. 1:7).
     
       (2.) The name of a place which first comes into notice in the
     days of Solomon. The question as to the locality of Tarshish has


     given rise to not a little discussion. Some think there was a
     Tarshish in the East, on the Indian coast, seeing that "ships of
     Tarshish" sailed from Eziongeber, on the Red Sea (1 Kings 9:26;
     22:48; 2 Chr. 9:21). Some, again, argue that Carthage was the
     place so named. There can be little doubt, however, that this is
     the name of a Phoenician port in Spain, between the two mouths
     of the Guadalquivir (the name given to the river by the Arabs,
     and meaning "the great wady" or water-course). It was founded by
     a Carthaginian colony, and was the farthest western harbour of
     Tyrian sailors. It was to this port Jonah's ship was about to
     sail from Joppa. It has well been styled "the Peru of Tyrian
     adventure;" it abounded in gold and silver mines.
     
       It appears that this name also is used without reference to
     any locality. "Ships of Tarshish" is an expression sometimes
     denoting simply ships intended for a long voyage (Isa. 23:1,
     14), ships of a large size (sea-going ships), whatever might be
     the port to which they sailed. Solomon's ships were so styled (1
     Kings 10:22; 22:49).
     

From Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's) [hitchcock]:

  Tarshish, contemplation; examination