Who or what is Tarshish, Navy (ships) Of in the Bible?

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Tarshish, Navy (ships) Of

Locations

Modern Location Likely Tartessos, southern Spain, or Carthage, North Africa

Coordinates 37.3891, -5.9845

Geographical Setting

Tarshish denotes a distant maritime region, frequently identified with the Iberian Peninsula, known for its wealth in silver, iron, tin, and lead.

What is the meaning of Tarshish, Navy (ships) Of in the Bible?

The navy of Tarshish consisted of large, ocean-going vessels, likely constructed from cedar wood, that operated in the western Mediterranean to transport valuable commodities such as silver, iron, tin, and lead.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the capabilities of the Tarshish fleet illuminates the economic ambitions of ancient Israel and Judah, while also providing crucial context for prophetic passages that use these distant ships as symbols of global wealth and the eventual gathering of all nations to God.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Tarshish, Navy (ships) Of (located near modern Likely Tartessos, southern Spain, or Carthage, North Africa) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Tarshish, Navy (ships) Of in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Tarshish, Navy (ships) Of clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Tarshish, Navy (ships) Of." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/tarshish-navy-ships-of/
        

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