Tarshish was a son of Javan and grandson of Japheth, who in turn was a son of Noah. He is regarded as the ancestor of a people living by the coast, likely connected to distant Tarshish (Tartessos) in the western Mediterranean region. The name Tarshish is also associated with seafaring and long-distance trade in the Bible.
The name Tarsis is linked to distant sea voyages and trade. King Solomon and King Jehoshaphat had Tarsis ships that brought gold, silver, ivory, and exotic goods.
22The king had a fleet of Tarshish ships at sea along with Hiram's fleet. Once every three years the fleet would come in, carrying gold and silver, ivory, apes, and baboons.[^1]
[^1]: "Tarshish ships" refers to large ocean-going trading vessels. The final item in the list is uncertain; it may mean baboons or peacocks.
The prophet Isaiah delivers a prophecy concerning Tarsis, describing the destruction of its ships and trading activities as a sign of God's judgment against pride and wealth.
1An oracle concerning Tyre: Wail, you ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house, without harbor. From the land of Cyprus the word came to them.
When the prophet Jonah tried to flee from God's call, he boarded a ship bound for Tarsis, which represented the farthest place one could travel—away from God's presence.
3But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the LORD. He went down to Joppa, found a ship bound for Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to sail with them to Tarshish, away from the LORD.
In Ezekiel's lament over Tyre, Tarsis is mentioned as an important trading partner that exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead with the powerful commercial city.