Interesting Facts

• Tarshish was one of the sons of Javan.
• The descendants of Tarshish engaged in warfare against the sons of Ishmael, initially prevailing over them for an extended period.
• Despite their initial dominance, the children of Tarshish were eventually subdued by Joseph and the forces of Egypt, who came to the aid of the Ishmaelites.
• Following their defeat, the Tarshishites fled to the borders of their kin, the children of Javan.

Genealogy

• Tarshish was a son of Javan.
• Javan was a son of Japheth.
• Japheth was one of the sons of Noah.
• Thus, the Tarshishites were descendants of Japheth, belonging to the lineage that populated the isles of the Gentiles.

Historical Context

The narrative involving Tarshish and his descendants unfolds in the post-diluvian world, after the initial dispersal of Noah’s progeny. The sources place the birth of the second generation after the flood between 1688 and 1722 A.M.. It is within this broader context of familial expansion and the establishment of distinct groups that the children of Javan, including Tarshish, would have settled in their allotted territories. The conflict between the children of Tarshish and the sons of Ishmael highlights the early inter-tribal dynamics and power struggles that emerged as these groups developed. The intervention of Joseph, who rose to prominence in Egypt around 2235 A.M., further situates this conflict within a timeframe where larger political entities and their influence began to shape the interactions between different descendants of Noah.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Tarshish and his descendants centers primarily on their military engagement with the sons of Ishmael. The text indicates that the children of Tarshish initially held the upper hand, exerting their power over the Ishmaelites for a considerable time. However, this dominance was challenged when the oppressed Ishmaelites sought assistance from Egypt. The response came in the form of Joseph, the vizier of Egypt, leading a formidable force against the Tarshishites. Joseph’s intervention proved decisive, as he successfully smote the Tarshishites and subdued their land, thereby allowing the children of Ishmael to dwell in it. Faced with defeat and the loss of their territory, the remaining Tarshishites retreated to the borders of their brethren, the children of Javan, suggesting a seeking of refuge and realignment within their broader familial group. While the personal character or motivations of Tarshish himself are not elaborated upon, the actions of his descendants illustrate the early conflicts and realignments that occurred as the earth was repopulated and different lineages established their presence and influence.