Tarshish is one of the most intriguing and mysterious names in Scripture. Though mentioned about 25 times throughout the Bible, historians and geographers differ in where they believe it was located. Regardless, its reputation was significant to the people who lived in the Middle East in biblical times. From the grand “ships of Tarshish” that carried gold and silver to King Solomon’s ports (1 Kings 10:22), to the prophet Jonah’s desperate attempt to flee there from God’s call (Jonah 1:3), Tarshish is noted as both a real place of ancient commerce and a reminder of spiritual truth.
Where Was Tarshish Located?
One of the persisting questions in biblical studies is the actual location of Tarshish. The Bible refers to Tarshish in various contexts: as a source of metals, as a distant destination where Jonah believed he could disappear from God, and as a symbol in prophetic and poetic literature. But exactly where Tarshish was has been debated for centuries.
From a geographical standpoint, most scholars indicate that Tarshish lay somewhere west of Israel, generally in the Mediterranean region. For example:
The Jewish Virtual Library notes that Tarshish must be a Mediterranean port because it is listed as a “son of Javan,” linking it to the Greek (Aegean-Mediterranean) world.
BibleMapper argues that many biblical passages suggest Tarshish was located in the Mediterranean Sea, though some texts complicate that picture (e.g. references to Red Sea trade).
Some isotope studies of ancient silver (the so-called Cisjordan corpus) point toward Sardinia or Spain as plausible sources matching the metal trade associated with Tarshish.
Thus, while we cannot be certain, a strong consensus leans toward a western Mediterranean location—possibly in or near southern Spain (Tartessos region) or on the island of Sardinia.
What Country Is Tarshish Today?
Because Tarshish’s exact identity remains uncertain, we cannot say definitively which modern country corresponds to it. Given the internal biblical clues and external archaeological and isotopic data, southern Spain (Tartessos) and Sardinia remain leading contenders. Hence, if one had to pick a modern equivalent, one might lean toward Spain (particularly the Guadalquivir basin region) or Sardinia—although acknowledging that no true consensus has been determined
Tarshish and the Wealth of Solomon’s Kingdom
One of the Bible's most noteworthy mentions of Tarshish is in relation to King Solomon’s international trade networks. The narrative in two books of the Bible indicates that Tarshish was integral to the wealth and prestige of his kingdom.
Ships of Tarshish during Solomon’s reign:
In 1 Kings 10:22 (and its parallel in 2 Chronicles 9:21), the Word states: “For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.”
The association is also mentioned in Ezekiel’s prophecy about Tyre: “Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth … silver, iron, tin, and lead they exchanged for your wares.” (Ezekiel 27:12)
The phrase “ships of Tarshish” is also used in prophetic and poetic texts, denoting long-distance, ocean-going vessels rather than a literal ship from Tarshish alone.
The association between the splendor and majesty of Solomon’s kingdom and Tarshish’s wealth highlights both God's strength and man’s weakness.
It demonstrates God’s provision for Israel through international trade, due to strategic alliances (e.g. in 1 Kings 5 we see Solomon’s alliance with King Hiram of Tyre who provided “cedars of Lebanon” for the building of Solomon’s Temple).
It also warns of the temptation to rely on material riches, which prophets would later criticize. Isaiah speaks of “ships of Tarshish” in Isaiah 2:16 that would “wail” because the trading partnership between Tyre and Israel would be severed by God.
Because the Bible is focused on one nation and its interaction with certain nations at a certain point in time, we don’t often think about what was happening in the rest of the world. Tarshish should lead us to think about God’s rule and sovereignty over all nations, even if they aren’t mentioned in detail in the Bible.
Why Did Jonah Try to Flee to Tarshish?
In the story of Jonah, Tarshish plays a significant role in Jonah’s plan to escape from what the Lord called him to do. Jonah 1:1–3 states:
“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Jaffa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.”
Jonah’s prophetic call was to go eastward to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, to call its people to repentance. It was the last thing that Jonah wanted to do because he was afraid that the wicked Ninevites would repent and follow the Lord. The idea of it was detestable to Jonah. Instead, Jonah went west—toward Tarshish.
The direction is symbolic: Jonah flees from God (as if he could), moving to what he believed was the opposite side of the world. It would have been a great distance to travel if Tarshish was indeed located in modern-day Spain or Sardinia. Yet Jonah would rather endure a long and difficult journey by boat than follow God’s leading.
What does Jonah’s story teach us about our relationship with God when we want to go in a different direction?
We cannot flee from God’s presence. Jonah learns (through the storm, the fish/whale, and eventual obedience) that God’s presence pursues us even to the ends of the earth. And thank God He does!
Running from God’s call costs more than staying faithful. Jonah’s journey to Tarshish cost him tremendous fear in storms, a terrifying three days in the belly of a whale, and a rocky path of redemption. His hatred for the Ninevites caused all of it.
God’s offer of redemption is for everyone. Jonah’s call to Nineveh, and his reluctance to accept it, reminds us that God cares about Gentile nations, and that His calling may lead us to places we don’t want to go. Or we may have a preconceived notion about the people God wants us to minister to, and the story of Jonah reminds us that kind of thinking is futile and disastrous at times.
Tarshish in End Times Prophecy
In various portions of the Bible, Tarshish appears not just as a historical place but as a symbol in end times prophecy. Several verses point to Tarshish in the context of future worship or judgment:
Psalm 72:10–11: “May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands bring gifts, may the kings of Sheba and Seba present themselves. May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him.”
Tarshish here is listed among distant nations that will honor the Messiah.Isaiah 60:9: “Surely the coastlands shall wait for me; and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God…”
Isaiah 66:19: “And I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish … who draw the bow … that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations.”
Ezekiel 38:13 (in the prophecy against Gog): “Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil?’”
In these passages, Tarshish, along with other distant lands, becomes a symbol of the global reach of God’s work of redemption. These prophecies suggest that in the Messianic age, kings from Tarshish will bring gifts and bow to the true King. The nation is included among those who will hear God’s glory and be among those redeemed.
Therefore, Tarshish plays a literal and symbolic role in God’s prophetic design–linking Israel’s past trade (and the building of Solomon’s Temple), Jonah’s attempted flight, and the final gathering of nations to acknowledge the Messiah.
What Can We Learn from Tarshish Today?
What spiritual lessons does the story and symbolism of Tarshish hold for Christians today? Here are several reflections:
1. God’s sovereignty extends everywhere
Tarshish, whether in Spain, Sardinia, or imagined in ancient stories, lies at the edges of the known world in Bible times. Yet God’s presence and authority reach there. We learn that no place is beyond God’s domain, and no nation is beyond His offer of redemption.
2. Wealth and trade are instruments, not gods
The wealth associated with Tarshish—metals, exotic goods, tribute—serves as a double-edged image in Scripture. It demonstrates God’s ability to provide, but also the danger of trusting in prosperity rather than Him. The prophetic critique of Tyre (calling on the ships of Tarshish to lament) warns against commerce for the sake of gaining earthly riches.
3. We do not want to outrun our calling
Jonah’s attempt to flee to Tarshish illustrates that human attempts to escape God’s call inevitably fail. God’s mission is not thwarted by our resistance; He pursues us until we comply. And He does so for His glory and so that His word and His renown would cross all boundaries. Reluctance or avoidance of God’s mission only hurts our walk with Him.
5. Faith in what may feel uncertain
We cannot locate Tarshish with certainty. Because we aren’t sure, we need to be humble and trust the biblical narrative even when evidence may not be obvious.
The mystery of Tarshish weaves together history, geography, prophecy, and faith. Whether as a wealthy maritime locale in Solomon’s time, the hoped-for refuge in Jonah’s rebellion, or a distant nation in prophetic vision, Tarshish reminds believers that God’s sovereignty reaches to the ends of the earth. The same Lord who sent Jonah east, who enriched Solomon’s kingdom, and who will one day gather all nations to Himself, is still directing the course of human history. For Christians, Tarshish is more than a lost city—it is a lasting symbol that no matter how far we run, or how distant the horizon seems, God’s purposes always prevail, and His glory fills the earth for all of eternity.
Image created using AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).
