2 Chronicles 9:21For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
The setting
Mediterranean ports, ~950 BC. Massive ships returning from three-year voyages to distant Tarshish (possibly Spain). Sailors unload exotic cargo: African ivory, Indian peacocks, Spanish silver. Modern-day Israel's Mediterranean coast.
The emotion here: wonder at recording such exotic international commerce
The original word
tarshish (תַּרְשִׁישׁ) — distant place of refining, possibly Spain or India
Why it matters
These three-year round trips were the ancient equivalent of space missions — incredibly dangerous and expensive
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Chronicles 9:21
The ships only came EVERY THREE YEARS — imagine waiting that long for results
Common misconceptionPeople focus on the wealth, missing that success required YEARS of patient investment and risk. Solomon didn't get rich quick — he played the long game.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Chronicles 9:21
Bible Genome reading
2 Chronicles 9:21 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Chronicles 9:21 comes from the book of 2 Chronicles, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grateful, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is celebratory. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include international trade, prosperity. Notable phrases: ships that went to Tarshish; once every three years.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grateful
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7
“It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”
— Acts 2:21
“for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”
— Ephesians 2:8
“So now it wasn't you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land o…”
— Genesis 45:8
Your reflection
What does 2 Chronicles 9:21 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grateful"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.