Tarshish

Tarshish (Hebrew Tarshish תרשיש ) is used as the name and location in several places the Bible mentions. According to Genesis ( first book of Moses ) 10.4 EU Tarshish son of Javan, and a great-grandson of Noah. The place was identified Tarshish with Tartessos in Spain.

Localization and first trade contacts

The occupied in ancient times, equating it with Tarsus in Cilicia ( Flavius ​​Josephus: Jewish Antiquities, I.6, § 1 ) is probably explained by the fact that the actual location of the place had been forgotten and is based solely on the similar sound of the name. For the location on the western edge of the Mediterranean, the mention of a country " Tarsisi " ( KUR tar -si -si ) speaks in an inscription of the Assyrian Assurhaddon: " All the kings who live in the sea, Cyprus ( Iadanana ) and Greece ( Iaman ) until after Tarsisi to my feet "(quoted submitted by: R. Borger: The inscriptions of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, Archives of Oriental Research Supplement 9, Graz 1956, 86). The geographical designations are undoubtedly rewrite the entire width of the Mediterranean.

As Cyprus and Greece are in the eastern Mediterranean, was to search " Tarsisi " in the western Mediterranean area as the most remote location. The place is even beyond the Straits of Gibraltar, so on the western end of the western Mediterranean beyond; on the other hand can be both " Tartessos " and " Tarshish " on an old - Iberian trs / trt traced. First trade contacts with Tarshish are occupied about the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC. Archaeological investigations testify also that the earliest trade of Tarshish with the eastern Mediterranean region from about 800 BC existed and were intensified in the 8th and 7th centuries BC.

Mentioned in the Old Testament

" Tarshish " is used not only as the name and geographical designation, but has also been described as designation for a gem in Exodus 28:20 EU and ex 39.13 EU as part of the breastplate of the high priest. Since the location of Tarshish is often associated with commercial or noble tribute gifts, the city name is believed to have been transferred to a thence derived or dealt in precious stones.

The identification with Tartessos could be linked to the biblical message from 1 Kings 10:21 f EU connect, after which the Tarsisflotte Solomon once valuable goods in three years - gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks and guinea fowl ( NASB) - brought should have. The second book of Chronicles has in 2 Chr 20,36 EU Tarshish from as a place that can be reached by boats over the water. However, Tarshish was unknown as a trading partner and region to Solomon's reign in the eastern Mediterranean. The legend was liable to Solomon assignment of the ships of Tarshish could be detected as anachronistic addition to the conditions of the 8th and 7th century BC the meantime. The mentions of ivory and apes probably refer to ancient Egyptian trade lists, relating to expeditions to Punt. As part of the Phoenician trade of those freight transport can indeed be carried out on the Tarshish - ships in the composite with gold deliveries. In this context, Phoenician goods transfer stations in Egypt are attested by the Red Sea in the same period.

In the book of Esther (Esther 1:13-14 EU) it is mentioned that King Artaxerxes I. " be discussed with the wise men, who are familiar with the story; for he used his affairs before the circle of law and to bring jurist who had access to him, namely Carshena, Schetar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and the Medes. They had free access to the king and occupied the first rank in the kingdom. " Then he violated the queen Vashti. In the media there have been significant gold deposits that have been already exploited in Iranian early history.

In Psalm 72.10 EU states that the " kings of Tarshish and of the islands " the ideal ( Messianic ) king bring gifts. Here's how Assurhaddon meant in the inscription that the king receives tribute even from the most distant way over the sea countries.

From Isaiah and Jeremiah 60.9 EU 10.9 EU shows that from Tarshish silver and gold were introduced, which speaks for the identification with the ancient land of gold Tartessos. The f in 1 Kings 10:21 EU Tarshish mentioned trading Solomon mentions other valuables, including Ivory that originated from Africa or Syria. However, this does not speak against the identification with Tartessos, which could have served as a trading center for precious goods of other origin.

In the book of Ezekiel 27,12 EU and Ez 27,25 EU is: " Tarshish bought with you because of the abundance of thy riches; Silver, iron, tin, and lead they gave for your wares. "And" The ships of Tarshish you served as caravans for your merchandise. "

That Tarshish is a distant place, also presupposes the book of Jonah. God asked Jonah to proclaim the inhabitants of the Assyrian city of Nineveh a criminal court. Jonah refused and tried to flee from Jaffa by ship to Tarshish (Jonah 1,3 EU). Taking the identification with Tartessos to reason, does Jonas escape attempt that he wanted to run in the opposite direction, not to the east ( Nineveh), but to the west ( Tarshish / Tartessos ); and that he wanted to run to the end of the known world.

Other interpretations

A special is the opinion of M. Görg, however, the turns to equate Tarshish with a real place. Rather, the name of the Egyptian words for "border" was; Derive the "Area" and "Precious " and " distant land full of treasures " or " Treasure Island" to translate. After that, so not about a concrete, but rather a mythical or ideal size. This opinion has indeed been found in a common Bible Encyclopedia input, but may qualify as a minority vote.