Tarshish was a son of Javan, grandson of Japheth, and great-grandson of Noah. He is known as an ancestor of a people and a region associated with distant sea voyages and wealth. The name Tarshish later became linked to a famous port city and trading region, often connected with the western Mediterranean, and is best known as the place the prophet Jonah tried to flee to.
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.
21for the king had a fleet of ships that sailed to Tarshish with Huram's servants. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish would return, bringing gold and silver, ivory, apes, and baboons. [footnote: The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered "baboons" is uncertain; it may refer to peacocks.]
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.
The prophet Isaiah prophesies about the destruction of the Tarshish ships and the fall of the city, as well as about Tarshish's future role in bringing God's people back.
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.
9Surely the coastlands wait for me, the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your sons from far away, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you.