Tarshish

Tarshish (tär'shish) [key], in the Bible. 1. Eponym of a country distant from Palestine which cannot be accurately identified; Cyprus, Spain, and Tarsus (S Asia Minor) have been suggested. Traditionally, Tarshish is identified with Spain—with the region and city of Tartessus, a Phoenician settlement of S Spain. Scholars suggest that the biblical “ships of Tarshish” held cargo for metal-manufacturing centers on the Mediterranean coast. 2. Counselor of Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther. 3. Benjamite in First Chronicles.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print
  • Email
  • Bookmark
    • Add bookmark
    • Add to del.icio.us
    • Digg It!
    • Add to Reddit