Chronological Nations and Tribes
Tarshish, Kittim, Dodanim: Trading partners of Israel, often associated with distant lands like Spain, Cyprus, and Greece.
The Last Days of Atlantis
19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory.
19 "And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the distant islands that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the nations."
Islands mentioned in the Bible
Text: "I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory.
Text: "Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island."
Connection: Tarshish is often considered a distant and wealthy land in the Bible, and its exact location is debated, with some speculating it could be in the western Mediterranean.
The mysterious nature of Tarshish and its association with distant islands might parallel the mythical Atlantis, which was also described as a distant, prosperous island civilization.
The Island Tarshish
The exact historical and geographical identity of Tarshish has been a subject of debate among scholars.
Regardless of its precise location, Tarshish is consistently portrayed in the Bible as a distant, wealthy, and influential place, significant in maritime trade and symbolic of the far reaches of the known world during biblical times.
"The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim."
Context: In this verse, Tarshish is listed as one of the descendants of Javan, who was a son of Japheth, Noah's son.
This establishes Tarshish as a patriarchal figure and suggests the founding of a nation or region associated with his name.
"For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram.
Once every three years the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks."
The "ships of Tarshish" indicate large, sea-going vessels capable of long voyages, bringing wealth and exotic goods, signifying prosperity and international trade relations during Solomon's reign.
"For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram.
Context: Similar to the account in 1 Kings, this verse emphasizes the wealth and trade connections of King Solomon, highlighting the importance and richness associated with Tarshish.
"May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him.
Tarshish here represents distant lands and powerful kingdoms acknowledging and honoring the king's authority through gifts and tributes.
Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is destroyed, without house or harbor!
The "ships of Tarshish" symbolize the merchants and trade routes that will mourn the fall of Tyre, indicating economic loss and disruption.
"I will set a sign among them, and I will send survivors from them to the nations: to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory.
Context: In this prophetic vision, God declares that His glory will be proclaimed even to the distant nations, including Tarshish, symbolizing the universal reach of His message and salvation.
"Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your merchandise."
Tarshish is noted for trading valuable metals, indicating its economic significance and resource richness.
"But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Yahweh.
He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish.
So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of Yahweh."
Context: In this well-known narrative, the prophet Jonah attempts to escape God's command by fleeing to Tarshish, which is thought to represent the farthest known location west of Israel at the time, possibly corresponding to a region in modern-day Spain.
That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.'"
Context: Here, Jonah explains his original motive for fleeing to Tarshish, acknowledging God's merciful nature.
This reiterates the significance of Tarshish as a distant refuge in Jonah's mind.
"Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, 'Have you come to seize spoil?
Context: In a prophecy concerning Gog and Magog, Tarshish is mentioned alongside other nations questioning the intent of a great invading force, indicating its continued prominence and engagement in international affairs.
If Tarshish (or the location associated with the goods from Tarshish) was as distant as some scholars suggest—potentially in the western Mediterranean (like Tartessos in Spain) or even connected to far-reaching trade networks extending to India or East Africa—an 18-month journey each way becomes plausible.
The sea is a significant element in the Bible
He quotes the passage where Jonah, trying to flee from Yahweh's command, boards a ship to Tarshish (interpreted as Spain).
"But Jonah ran away from Yahweh and headed for Tarshish.
After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord."
He highlights that the Bible mentions islands 32 times, including references to distant islands and those on the way to Tarshish.
Noah’s offspring
[1] Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.[2] The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.[3] And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.[4] And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.[5] By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.[6] And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.[7] And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.[8] And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.[9] He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.[10] And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.[11] Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,[12] And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.[13] And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,[14] And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.[15] And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,[16] And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,[17] And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,[18] And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.[19] And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.[20] These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.[21] Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.[22] The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.[23] And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.[24] And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.[25] And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.[26] And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazar-maveth, and Jerah,[27] And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,[28] And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,[29] And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.[30] And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.[31] These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.[32] These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.