Why Identify Tarshish as Britain?

The Bible gives several clues regarding the identity of ‘Tarshish’.

Tarshish was:

• a maritime power associated with fleets and long voyages
(1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21; Psalm 48:7
• located to the far west of Israel, reached by sea (Jonah 1:3
• linked with silver, iron, tin and lead (Ezekiel 27:12
• a great trading nation (Isaiah 23:6; Isaiah 60:9
• present in the latter days as separate from Gog’s confederacy (Ezekiel 38:13
• has “young lions” - a political offspring of now independent nations that originated from her (Ezekiel 38:13)
  

When these clues are combined, Britain fits remarkably well. In fact, we would go as far as to say she is the only real candidate who fits all the clues.

Britain is an island maritime power to the west of Israel. It became the greatest naval and commercial empire of modern history and there is evidence that she had this expertise stretching back into antiquity.

Ancient Britain was famed for tin - especially Cornwall - while possessing lead, iron and silver resources. 

Also, Britain uniquely became a mother nation whose colonies developed into powerful independent states.

This matters because Ezekiel 38 places Tarshish alive and active in the latter days, not as an ancient extinct city, but as a recognisable power with merchants and allied offspring.

Born From Britain

The United States emerged directly out of Britain’s colonies. Its language, legal system, parliamentary instincts, common law traditions and much of its political culture all sprang from British roots.

It is therefore reasonable to conclude that America is one of the Young Lions of the Mother Lion of Tarshish. She is Britain’s political offspring.

In his speech to congress, the King openly acknowledged this inheritance:
“They carried with them, and carried forward, the great inheritance of the British Enlightenment – as well as the ideals which had an even deeper history in English common law and Magna Carta.”

That statement is significant. America did not arise in isolation. It was, historically speaking, a child of Britain that matured into a mighty independent nation. A young lion which could catch it’s own prey (Ezekiel 19:6).

This is exactly the kind of relationship suggested by the phrase:
“...with all the young lions thereof...” (Ezekiel 38:13)

The wording implies offspring belonging to a mother lion, Tarshish. Independent, vigorous powers springing from the mother nation. America fits that description more clearly than any other nation - although other colonies have in recent years also become independent from Britiain (for example Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand etc..)

Of course, the breaking of the bond between Britain and America was not without pain when independence was being sort. The young lion did not emerge peacefully from it’s mother. America was born through the War of Independence, when the thirteen British colonies broke from the Crown and established a new nation in 1776.

King Charles acknowledged this history directly. His state visit was to mark the 250th anniversary year of the Declaration of Independence. He described the story of the two nations since that time as one of: “reconciliation and renewal.”

He reminded Congress that though conflict once divided Britain and America, the centuries since have produced one of the closest partnerships in the modern world. That is a remarkable transformation. The lioness and the young lion once fought, yet today stand together. Independent of each other - but united.

President Trump echoed this spirit during the state visit when he welcomes The King, speaking warmly of the Anglo-American connection and calling it:
“Long before Americans had a nation or a constitution, we first had a culture, a character, and a creed. Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts: moral courage, and it came from a small but mighty kingdom from across the sea. For nearly two centuries before the revolution, this land was settled and forged by men, women who bore in their souls the blood and noble spirit of the British. Here on a wild and untamed continent, they set loose the ancient English love of liberty and Great Britain’s distinctive sense of glory, destiny, and pride, and that’s what it is: glory, destiny, and pride... In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British. We share that same root, we speak the same language, we hold the same values, and together, our warriors have defended the same extraordinary civilization under twin banners of red, white, and blue.”

For Bible students, this is especially striking. Ezekiel does not portray Tarshish and the young lions as enemies of one another in the latter days, but grouped together:
“the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof...” (Ezekiel 38:13)

History records the separation. Prophecy reveals the reunion.
America gained independence from Britain, yet never severed its deeper inheritance - language, law, institutions, culture and strategic outlook. The young lion became independent, but remained unmistakably of Tarshish.

Magna Carta and American Liberty

The King also reminded Congress of the constitutional roots linking both nations:
“Our Declaration of Rights of 1689 was not only the foundation of our constitutional monarchy, but also provided the source of so many of the principles reiterated, often verbatim, in the American Bill of Rights of 1791.”
He continued:
“Magna Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme Court cases since 1789...”
America’s most cherished liberties trace back through its Constitution into older English law.
The young lion may now be larger than the mother lion, but the bloodline remains clear.
That continuing connection helps explain why Ezekiel 38 groups Tarshish and the young lions together in one bloc:
They are separate nations, yet acting together.

A Shared Christian Heritage

The King also reflected on the spiritual foundations that shaped both nations, noting how faith, conscience, duty and service formed the character of their peoples.

Britain’s institutions, laws and national life were deeply shaped by the Bible. America inherited much of that same Protestant Christian heritage through its early settlers.

This is relevant prophetically. Isaiah says:
“Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first...” (Isaiah 60:9)

Tarshish is presented as a maritime people connected with God’s latter-day purpose in regathering Israel.
That harmonises with Ezekiel 38, where Tarshish is present at the time when Israel dwell again in the land:
“After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword...” (Ezekiel 38:8)

The Merchants of Tarshish

Ezekiel 38 does not merely mention Tarshish-it specifically speaks of:
“the merchants of Tarshish...” (Ezekiel 38:13)
This suggests commerce, trade routes and economic influence in the latter days.
During his address, King Charles highlighted that trade remains one of the great pillars of the Anglo-American relationship. He spoke of how the prosperity of both nations has long been advanced by enterprise, innovation and open exchange across the Atlantic.
He referred to the two countries as partners whose economies have grown stronger together through generations of commerce, investment and cooperation.
He also noted that the relationship is not only historic, but practical and modern - supporting jobs, industry and opportunity in both nations today.

This is striking because Ezekiel 38 places Tarshish not merely as a nation, but as a merchant power, and associates it with other trading peoples:
“Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish...” (Ezekiel 38:13)

Sheba and Dedan are linked with Arabia. Thus Tarshish appears in prophecy trading in connection with that region in the latter days.

It’s noteworthy that in the recent war with Iran, it is America’s allies in the Gulf which Iran attacked - looking for those allies to put pressure on America to stand down. It is American ships which are trying to make the Straits of Humoz safe from Iranian blockades and there are rumers that soon British RAF Typhoons will be deployed to keep strait of Hormuz open (see Guardian article from Thursday 23rd April) and that the “UK’s Royal Navy set to lead coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz” (Report from MEMO March 24th 26).

Modern Britain and America continue exactly this pattern. The United States is one of Britain’s largest trading partners, while both nations maintain major commercial and strategic ties with the Gulf states.

So when we read of “the merchants of Tarshish,” it is not difficult to see how Britain - with her global markets, financial reach, maritime heritage and close commercial links with her young lions - fits the prophetic description.

Values Forged Together

King Charles stressed that the bond between Britain and America is not sentimental nostalgia, but something built over generations:
“Our values have been shaped over decades, intertwined through history, sacrifice and shared purpose.”
That captures the prophetic picture. Tarshish and her young lions are distinct powers, yet linked by common identity and outlook. The Anglo-American alliance has been forged through war, diplomacy, commerce, language and shared ideals.

Standing Together in Defence

The King also pointed to present strategic cooperation, mentioning the AUKUS partnership between Britain, America and Australia:
“Today we stand together again through alliances such as AUKUS, strengthening security and stability for future generations.”
This too is notable. Britain and two of her prominent young lions - America and Australia - working side by side.
Ezekiel’s wording implies not only descent, but association:
“with all the young lions thereof...” (Ezekiel 38:13)
That small word “with” suggests companionship, alignment and common response in the latter days.

A Prophetic Picture

Ezekiel does not portray Tarshish and the young lions joining Gog’s invasion. Instead they stand apart and issue a protest:
“Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey?” (Ezekiel 38:13)
This suggests a separate maritime-commercial bloc in the latter days—wealthy, globally connected, yet distinct from the northern aggressor.

Why is Gog interested in the land?
“To take a spoil... to take cattle and goods...” (Ezekiel 38:12)
Israel’s wealth, trade position and resources become the target.
Tarshish and the young lions object - but do not stop the invasion.
As Britain and America continue to act closely together on the world stage, Bible students cannot fail to notice the pattern.

The Lion of Judah is Coming

Yet prophecy is not given merely to satisfy curiosity. It is given to strengthen faith.
The same scriptures that speak of Tarshish and the young lions also speak of the return of the true Lion:
“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah…” (Revelation 5:5)
When Gog comes down, God intervenes:
“I will call for a sword against him...” (Ezekiel 38:21)
“So will I make my holy name known...” (Ezekiel 38:23)

Human lions rise and fall. Nations grow strong and decline. Alliances shift.
But soon the Lord Jesus Christ will return to establish a kingdom that shall never be moved.
And as the nations align exactly as foretold, we are reminded that God’s word stands sure.