Isaiah 2:16

“And upon all the ships of Tarshish, &c.] Upon all the merchants and merchandises of Rome. The Targum is, “and upon all that dwell in the islands of the sea.” (see <661620>Revelation 16:20 18:11-19). Tarshish, as Vitringa observes, designs Tartessus or Gades in Spain, which must bring to mind the memorable destruction of the Spanish Armada in 1558, as he also notes. And upon all pleasant pictures; of Christ and the Virgin Mary, of angels, and of saints departed, the Papists make use of to help their devotion. The Targum is, “and upon all that dwell in beautiful palaces;” such as those of the pope and his cardinals at Rome, and of archbishops and bishops at other places. The Septuagint version…”

“Tarshish--Tartessus in southwest Spain, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, near Gibraltar. It includes the adjoining region: a PhÅ“nician colony; hence its connection with Palestine and the Bible (Ch2 9:21). The name was also used in a wide sense for the farthest west, as our West Indies (Isa 66:19; Psa 48:7; Psa 72:10). "Ships of Tarshish" became a phrase for richly laden and far-voyaging vessels. The judgment shall be on all that minister to man's luxury (compare Rev 18:17-19). pictures--ordered to be destroyed (Num 33:52). Still to be seen on the walls of Nineveh's palaces. It is remarkable that whereas all other ancient civilized nations, Egypt, Assyria, Greece, Rome, have left monuments…”

“And upon all the ships of Tarshish - Ships of Tarshish are often mentioned in the Old Testament, but the meaning of the expression is not quite obvious; see 1Ki 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21; 2 Chronicles 20:36-37; Psalms 48:7, ... It is evident that “Tarshish” was some distant land from which was imported silver, iron, lead, tin, etc. It is now generally agreed that “Tartessus” in Spain is referred to by the Tarshish of Scripture. Bruce, however, supposes that it was in Africa, south of Abyssinia; see the note at Isaiah 60:9. That it was in the “west” is evident from Genesis 10:4; compare Psalms 72:10. In Ezekiel 28:13, it is mentioned as an important place of trade; in Jeremiah 10:9, it is said…”

“Tarshish - The ships of the sea, as that word is used, Psa 48:7, whereby you fetched riches from the remote parts of the world. Isaiah 2:19”

“2:16 every magnificent vessel: Ornate sea-going vessels were a sign of prosperity.”

“the ships: Isa 23:1; Kg1 10:22, Kg1 22:48, Kg1 22:49; Psa 47:7; Rev 18:17-19 pleasant pictures: Heb. pictures of desire, Num 33:52; Rev 18:11 Isaiah 2:17”