Spain in Biblical Context (Tarshish)

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1. Introduction

Although Spain is only directly mentioned once in the Bible, it carries symbolic and theological weight as the furthest known western territory within the Roman Empire. Known in antiquity as “Tarshish” (in some interpretations) and later explicitly as “Spain” (Spania), this region represents the edge of the biblical world. It becomes a crucial symbol of missionary expansion, Gentile inclusion, and the universality of the gospel. This article explores the historical-geographical identity of ancient Spain, its biblical mentions, archaeological context, and theological significance, particularly within the writings of the Apostle Paul.

2. Ancient Spain and Its Identity

2.1 Iberia and the Roman Province of Hispania

  • The territory known today as Spain was referred to in antiquity as Hispania under Roman administration.
  • It included major provinces such as Hispania Baetica, Hispania Tarraconensis, and Lusitania (modern Portugal).
  • Spain was considered the westernmost extent of the civilised Greco-Roman world and was famous for:
    • Silver mines (cf. Tarshish associations)
    • Ports and seafaring
    • Trade in metals, wine, and oil

2.2 Tarshish: A Possible Early Reference

  • Some scholars equate Tarshish—a distant maritime land mentioned in the Old Testament—with ancient Tartessos, a site in southern Spain near the Guadalquivir River.
  • Tarshish appears in:
    • Jonah 1:3 – Jonah flees to Tarshish, “away from the presence of the Lord”
    • Isaiah 66:19 – Listed among distant nations to hear God’s glory
    • Ezekiel 27:12 – A trading partner of Tyre, rich in silver and iron
  • Though not universally accepted, the Spain = Tarshish theory reflects Spain’s early mythic association with distance and wealth.

3. Spain in the New Testament

3.1 Paul’s Desire to Evangelise Spain

  • Romans 15:24, 28: “I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain… After I have enjoyed your company for a while, I will leave for Spain by way of you.”
  • Spain represents the frontier of Paul’s missionary vision, symbolising the global scope of the gospel.

This plan reflects:

  • Paul’s ambition to preach Christ where He was not yet known (Romans 15:20)
  • A missional theology that transcends Jewish boundaries and extends to the Gentile world
  • The fulfilment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20)

3.2 Was Paul’s Mission to Spain Fulfilled?

  • The Bible does not record whether Paul ever reached Spain.
  • Early Church Fathers, including Clement of Rome (1st Century) and Isidore of Seville (6th Century), suggest that Paul did indeed reach Spain, possibly after his first Roman imprisonment.
  • While the claim is not historically verified, it became part of Spanish Christian tradition, reinforcing Spain’s spiritual importance.

4. Archaeological and Historical Context

4.1 Roman Spain and Early Christianity

  • Roman Hispania was well-integrated into the empire, with:
    • Road networks
    • Urban centres like Corduba (Córdoba), Tarraco (Tarragona), and Emerita Augusta (Mérida)
  • Archaeological findings include:
    • Christian inscriptions from the 2nd–3rd centuries
    • Early house churches and martyrdom sites

4.2 Jewish Diaspora in Hispania

  • Jews likely arrived in Spain as early as the Roman period, possibly even before Christ.
  • This presence laid the groundwork for future Christian evangelism among Jewish communities, aligning with Paul’s usual missional pattern.

4.3 Visigothic and Medieval Christianity

  • Spain would later become a significant Christian stronghold, especially under the Visigothic Kingdom (5th–8th centuries).
  • The Council of Toledo shaped early Spanish theology and ecclesiastical governance.
  • Spain also produced key figures like Isidore of Seville, a renowned scholar and church father.

5. Theological and Symbolic Significance

5.1 Spain as the Edge of the Earth

  • In biblical symbolism, Spain represents the extreme west—the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
  • Paul’s intention to go to Spain reflects the expanding universality of the gospel.
  • This is theologically significant as:
    • The gospel breaks geographical, ethnic, and political boundaries
    • Fulfilment of messianic prophecies (e.g., Psalm 72:8–10) that distant lands would submit to God’s king

5.2 A Model for Missional Obedience

  • Paul’s journey toward Spain models missionary zeal and apostolic responsibility.
  • Spain becomes a symbol of obedience to divine calling, not merely a location.

5.3 Legacy in Christian Tradition

  • Spain’s self-identity as a land evangelised by Paul laid foundations for:
    • Its Christian heritage
    • Later missionary efforts from Spain (e.g., during the Age of Exploration)
    • The Camino de Santiago, symbolising pilgrimage and apostolic continuity

6. Conclusion

Though rarely mentioned explicitly, Spain’s role in the biblical narrative is deeply symbolic and missionally profound. Whether through the possible Tarshish of the Old Testament, or Paul’s ambitious plans in the New Testament, Spain stands as the edge of the known world—a place into which the light of the gospel must reach. Its connection to early Christianity, Jewish diaspora, and missionary tradition confirms its spiritual and historical significance. Spain thus embodies the global scope of God’s redemptive mission, anchoring Europe’s western border in the biblical imagination.

Key Takeaways

  • Biblical Mentions: Tarshish (possibly Spain), Romans 15 (Paul’s missionary goal).
  • Theological Role: Symbol of gospel expansion to the “ends of the earth.”
  • Historical Tradition: Early Christian writers claim Paul reached Spain; archaeological evidence supports early Christian presence.
  • Legacy: Spain played a major role in the Christianisation of Europe and global missions in later centuries.

References

  • Genesis 10:4; Jonah 1:3; Isaiah 66:19; Ezekiel 27:12; Romans 15:24, 28
  • González, J. L. (1984). The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1. HarperCollins.
  • Isidore of Seville. Etymologiae, c. 7th century
  • Bruce, F. F. (1977). Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Eerdmans.
  • Fernández Ubiña, J. A. (1997). “The Archaeology of Roman Spain.” In The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. 10
  • Collins, J. J. (2014). Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Fortress Press.

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