תַּרְשִׁישׁ
𐤕𐤓𐤔𐤉𐤔
tarshîysh
H8658 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A precious stone, often translated as 'beryl' or 'topaz,' mentioned as a component of priestly garments and as a metaphor in poetic and visionary descriptions of beauty, value, or radiance. The exact identification of the mineral remains uncertain in modern terms due to shifting historical classifications. In later periods, sometimes used as a personal name or as a reference to a locale (Tarshish), distinct from the gemstone sense.
Semantic Range
a precious stone (probably a yellow-green gem such as beryl, topaz, or chrysolite), component of priestly ornaments, metaphor for brilliance or value, rarely a personal name, homonymous with the toponym 'Tarshish' (distinct referent)
Root / Etymology
Probably of foreign origin; not derived from an identifiable Hebrew root. The term appears borrowed into Hebrew, possibly from a Mediterranean language or through trade, reflecting external contact or commerce.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical Hebrew, תַּרְשִׁישׁ almost exclusively refers to a specific precious stone, long debated in lexicography. It is listed among the stones set in the high priest's breastpiece (Exodus 28:20; 39:13) and described in poetic passages (Ezekiel 1:16; Song of Songs 5:14; Daniel 10:6) as lustrous, valued, and often golden or yellowish in color. Classical translations and later tradition variously identified it as 'beryl,' 'topaz,' or 'chrysolite,' none of which can be authenticated with certainty. In Septuagint Greek, it is usually rendered as chrysolithos (gold-colored), while Vulgate and other sources waver between different gemstones. The overlap with the toponym תַּרְשִׁישׁ (Tarshish, a distant port or region) is coincidental in form but unrelated in sense; only context distinguishes gem from place. English translations often standardize תַּרְשִׁישׁ as 'beryl' or 'topaz,' but the ancient Israelite audience may not have mapped the term directly to these specific minerals as classified today.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably of foreign derivation (compare תַּרְשִׁישׁ); a gem, perhaps the topaz; beryl.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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תרשיש (t-r-sh-y-sh) — uncertain (loanword), precious stone, gemstone of brilliance
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8658-03 |
תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ | tareshish | HNcmsa |
beryl | Tarshish-stone | 5 |
H8658-01 |
בַּ/תַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ | batareshish | HRd/Ncmsa |
beryl | in the tarshish gem | 1 |
H8658-02 |
כְ/תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ | khetareshish | HR/Ncmsa |
like tarshish | like a tarshish-stone | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8658-03 |
Exodus 28:20 | תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ | tareshish | HNcmsa |
a tarshish | Tarshish-stone |
H8658-03 |
Exodus 39:13 | תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ | tareshish | HNcmsa |
beryl | Tarshish-stone |
H8658-03 |
Ezekiel 1:16 | תַּרְשִׁ֔ישׁ | tareshish | HNcmsa |
of beryl | Tarshish-stone |
H8658-03 |
Ezekiel 10:9 | תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ | tareshish | HNcmsa |
Tarshish | Tarshish-stone |
H8658-03 |
Ezekiel 28:13 | תַּרְשִׁ֥ישׁ | tareshish | HNcmsa |
beryl | Tarshish-stone |
H8658-01 |
Song of Songs 5:14 | בַּ/תַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ | batareshish | HRd/Ncmsa |
beryl | in the tarshish gem |
H8658-02 |
Daniel 10:6 | כְ/תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ | khetareshish | HR/Ncmsa |
like tarshish | like a tarshish-stone |