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 Chronicles 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
(Isaiah 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)
