Tahpenes is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the First Book of Kings. She is identified as an Egyptian queen, the wife of Pharaoh, during the time of King Solomon. Her mention in the biblical narrative provides insight into the political and familial alliances that were prevalent during the era of the united monarchy in Israel.

Biblical Reference:

Tahpenes is mentioned in 1 Kings 11:19-20. The passage describes how Hadad the Edomite, who had fled to Egypt as a young boy to escape King David's military campaigns, found favor with Pharaoh. The Egyptian king not only provided Hadad with refuge but also integrated him into the royal family by giving him the sister of his own wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage. The Berean Standard Bible states:

"Pharaoh was so pleased with Hadad that he gave him the sister of his own wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage. And the sister of Tahpenes bore Hadad a son named Genubath. Tahpenes weaned him in Pharaoh’s palace, and Genubath lived there among the sons of Pharaoh."

Historical and Cultural Context:

The mention of Tahpenes highlights the diplomatic relationships between Israel and Egypt during Solomon's reign. Marriages between royal families were common in the ancient Near East as a means of securing political alliances and ensuring peace between nations. The marriage of Hadad to the sister of Queen Tahpenes signifies the importance of such alliances and the role of women in these political strategies.

Tahpenes' involvement in the narrative, though brief, underscores the influence and status of the Egyptian royal family. Her presence in the account of Hadad illustrates the interconnectedness of the regional powers and the complexities of their interactions with Israel.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the account of Tahpenes and her family serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to use international relationships to fulfill His purposes. The inclusion of foreign figures like Tahpenes in the biblical narrative reflects the broader theme of God's engagement with all peoples, not just the Israelites.

The account of Hadad and his connection to the Egyptian royal family through Tahpenes also foreshadows the eventual challenges that Solomon would face due to his own foreign alliances and marriages, which ultimately led to idolatry and the division of the kingdom. This narrative thread serves as a cautionary tale about the potential spiritual pitfalls of political expediency and the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments.

Conclusion:

Tahpenes, though a minor character in the biblical text, represents the intricate web of political and familial ties that characterized the ancient Near Eastern world. Her account is a testament to the historical realities of the time and offers valuable lessons on the interplay between faith, politics, and international relations.Tahpenes

standard; flight; temptation

Tahpenes

an Egyptian queen, was wife of the Pharaoh who received Hadad the Edomite, and who gave him her sister in marriage. (1 Kings 11:18-20) (B.C. about 1000.)

The wife of Pharaoh, who gave her sister in marriage to Hadad the Edomite (1 Kings 11:19, 20). TAHPENES

ta'-pe-nez, ta-pe'-nez (tachpenec; Septuagint Thekem(e)ina): Queen of Egypt, the sister of Hadad's wife and the foster-mother of his son Genubath (1 Kings 11:19 f).

See PHARAOH.

8472. Tachpenes -- an Eg. queen
... Tachpenes. 8473 . an Eg. queen. Transliteration: Tachpenes Phonetic Spelling:
(takh-pen-ace') Short Definition: Tahpenes. ... queen NASB Word Usage Tahpenes (3). ...
/hebrew/8472.htm - 6k

8473. tachra -- a corselet
... Tahpenes. From charah in the original sense of chuwr or chuwr; a linen corslet
(as white or hollow) -- habergeon. see HEBREW charah. see HEBREW chuwr. ...
/hebrew/8473.htm - 6k

How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ...
... to supply him with food; and when he was grown up he loved him exceedingly, insomuch
that he gave him his wife's sister, whose name was Tahpenes, to wife, by ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how solomon grew.htm

Tahpenes (2 Occurrences)
... 19, 20). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TAHPENES. ta'-pe ... See PHARAOH.
Multi-Version Concordance Tahpenes (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings ...
/t/tahpenes.htm - 7k

Genubath (1 Occurrence)
... He was brought up in Pharaoh's household. His mother was a sister of Tahpenes,
the king of Egypt's wife, mentioned in 1 Kings 11:20. Int. ...
/g/genubath.htm - 7k

Tah'penes (2 Occurrences)
Tah'penes. Tahpenes, Tah'penes. Tahrea . Multi-Version Concordance
Tah'penes (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 11:19 And Hadad found great ...
/t/tah'penes.htm - 6k

Genu'bath (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 11:20 And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes
weaned in Pharaoh's house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons ...
/g/genu'bath.htm - 6k

Weaned (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:20 The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned
in Pharaoh's house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of ...
/w/weaned.htm - 9k

Weaneth (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:20 and the sister of Tahpenes beareth to him Genubath his son, and Tahpenes
weaneth him within the house of Pharaoh, and Genubath is in the house of ...
/w/weaneth.htm - 6k

Royal (154 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:20 The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned
in Pharaoh's house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of ...
/r/royal.htm - 42k

Sister (113 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:19 Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him
as wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. ...
/s/sister.htm - 42k

Beareth (108 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:20 and the sister of Tahpenes beareth to him Genubath his son, and Tahpenes
weaneth him within the house of Pharaoh, and Genubath is in the house of ...
/b/beareth.htm - 34k

Palace (194 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:20 The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned
in Pharaoh's house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of ...
/p/palace.htm - 40k

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