Jonah’s Flight to Tarshish: A Biblical Journey and the Silver Trade of Ancient Judah
A silver hoard found in Ein Hofez (6 km west of Megiddo). Dating to the Iron age, Eshel’s research demonstrated that its origin was biblical Tartesso. Similar silver hoards were found also in Biblical Judah. Photo by Warhaftig Venezian. Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Dr. Tzilla Eshel.
In the Book of Jonah, the prophet is commanded by God to travel to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, to deliver a message of repentance. Instead of obeying, Jonah attempts to flee by boarding a ship at Jaffa (Modern-day Jaffa), a coastal city in ancient Judah. The ship is headed to Tarshish, a distant and wealthy place mentioned several times in the Bible. Jonah’s decision to travel to Tarshish raises important questions: What is the significance of Tarshish in the ancient world, and why would Jonah choose such a far-off destination to escape God’s command?
Tarshish: A Land of Wealth and Mystery
For centuries, scholars have debated the precise location of Tarshish. Traditionally, it has been associated with cities such as Tarsus in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey) or Tartessos, an ancient and enigmatic civilization located in what is now southern Spain. However, in the Book of Kings, Tarshish is mentioned in the context of King Solomon’s trading expeditions (1 Kings 10:22), and scholars generally consider this Tarshish to be legendary or symbolic, as no evidence of such a city exists south of the Red Sea. This raises further questions about the nature of Tarshish in the biblical texts: Was it a real, distant trading center, or did it represent an idealized, wealthy destination in the imagination of ancient Israelite writers?
The identification of Tarshish with Tartessos gains new relevance in light of new archaeological research, particularly those of Tzila Eshel, an Israeli archaeologist who has made groundbreaking discoveries regarding the origins of silver in biblical Judah.
Tzilla Eshel’s Discovery: Silver from Tartessos
Tzila Eshel’s research has shed new light on the trade routes and economic connections of ancient Judah. By analyzing silver artifacts from Judah, Eshel found that these silver objects originated from Tartessos in the Iberian Peninsula. This discovery is significant because Tartessos was a kingdom rich in silver deposits, and its wealth was known throughout the ancient Mediterranean world.
Eshel’s findings suggest that Judah, despite its relatively small size, was integrated into a broad Mediterranean trade network. Phoenician traders, who had established extensive maritime routes, likely facilitated the movement of silver from Tartessos to Judah.
Sources of Silver found in the Holy Land in the 8th century BCE. Eshel’s research demonstrated that all the silver found in Judah during that period was sources in southern Spain, a region named Tartessos in biblical times. Illustration by Svetlana Matskevich. Courtesy of Dr. Tzilla Eshel.
Conclusion: Jonah’s Journey as a Reflection of Judah’s Mediterranean Connections
The identification of Tarshish with Tartessos, supported by Eshel’s research into the origins of silver in Judah, offers a compelling new perspective on the story of Jonah. His flight to Tarshish, far from being merely an act of defiance, may have reflected Judah’s active involvement in Mediterranean trade routes. Jonah’s journey could symbolize not just his avoidance of God’s command, but also the practical, economic realities of Judah’s need for precious metals like silver, which were vital for economic activities in the kingdom.
Bibliography
אשל צ’, 2022. היכן היתה תרשיש המקראית? מקורות הכסף של ממלכת יהודה ופלשת במאה הח’ לפנה”ס. מחקרי יהודה ה. עמ’, 11-32.
Eshel Tz. et. al. 2019. Lead Isotopes in Silver Reveal Earliest Phoenician Quest for Metals in the West Mediterranean. PNAS 116 (13): 6007-6012.
Tarshish in the Book of Kings – A Legendary Destination? or a Type of Ship?
The Book of Kings also references Tarshish in connection with maritime trade and wealth, though the precise meaning of the term remains uncertain. The relevant passages are as follows:
1 Kings 10:22: “For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.”
1 Kings 22:48 (or 22:49 in some translations): “Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-Geber.”
Was there another Tarshish in Africa?
While the references in Kings imply that the “ships of Tarshish” were destined for regions rich in gold, ivory, and exotic animals—likely Africa—there is no known historical or archaeological evidence of a location in Africa named Tarshish. This absence raises the possibility that “Tarshish” in these contexts may not refer to a specific destination.
We propose that the term “ships of Tarshish” might not be linked to a single port but were instead referring to a type of large, seafaring vessel capable of long-distance trade. These ships symbolized wealth, prestige, and access to distant, exotic resources, whether real or legendary.
Was Solomon’s Wealth Real or Legendary?
In the context of this debate, it should be remembered that the Bible portrays Solomon as an extraordinarily wealthy and powerful king. However, archaeological evidence from the period indicates that the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were relatively modest in the 10th century BCE. The vast wealth described in the biblical account, including the fleets of “ships of Tarshish,” may reflect later legendary traditions rather than historical reality.
In conclusion, while the Tarshish mentioned in the Book of Jonah likely refers to Tartessos in Spain, the Tarshish in the Book of Kings may represent a type of ship or a legendary destination associated with Africa. These references serve as a powerful literary symbol of King Solomon’s supposed wealth and influence, though their historical basis remains uncertain.
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