Tarshish

About Tarshish Written by AI

Tarshish is mentioned in Esther 1:14 as one of the seven princes of Persia and Media who served as advisors to King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I). These seven princes had special access to the king's presence and were the most prominent officials in the Persian Empire. The context of Esther 1 describes a grand feast held by King Ahasuerus in the third year of his reign. During this feast, the king summoned his wife, Queen Vashti, to appear before him and his guests, but she refused. Angered by her refusal, the king consulted his wise men, including Tarshish, to determine the appropriate course of action according to the law. Tarshish, along with the other princes, advised the king to issue a royal decree proclaiming that Vashti would never again enter the king's presence and that her royal position would be given to another woman. This decree was intended to discourage other women in the kingdom from defying their husbands' authority. Apart from his role as one of the seven princes and his involvement in advising the king regarding Vashti's disobedience, no other information is provided about Tarshish's personal life, background, or subsequent actions in the book of Esther.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Tarshish, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

A Sanscrit or Aryan word, meaning “the sea coast.” (1.) One of the “sons” of Javan (Gen. 10:4; 1 Chr. 1:7).

(2.) The name of a place which first comes into notice in the days of Solomon. The question as to the locality of Tarshish has given rise to not a little discussion. Some think there was a Tarshish in the East, on the Indian coast, seeing that “ships of Tarshish” sailed from Eziongeber, on the Red Sea (1 Kings 9:26; 22:48; 2 Chr. 9:21). Some, again, argue that Carthage was the place so named. There can be little doubt, however, that this is the name of a Phoenician port in Spain, between the two mouths of the Guadalquivir (the name given to the river by the Arabs, and meaning “the great wady” or water-course). It was founded by a Carthaginian colony, and was the farthest western harbour of Tyrian sailors. It was to this port Jonah’s ship was about to sail from Joppa. It has well been styled “the Peru of Tyrian adventure;” it abounded in gold and silver mines.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.