Bible Dictionary
Tahpanhes, Tehaphnehes, Tahapanes
Tahpanhes, also called Tehaphnehes or Tahapanes, was an Egyptian city where Jewish fugitives settled after Gedaliah’s death. Jeremiah pronounced judgment there and hid stones at Pharaoh’s palace.
Definition
Tahpanhes, also called Tehaphnehes or Tahapanes, was an Egyptian city in Lower Egypt near the eastern border. It was an important town associated with Noph or Memphis and with the Egyptian royal presence.
Biblical Usage
Johanan and other leaders brought Jewish refugees to Tahpanhes. The Jews remained there in Jeremiah’s time, and Jeremiah hid great stones before Pharaoh-hophra’s house as a sign of coming judgment.
Historical Background
Tahpanhes stood near or on Egypt’s eastern frontier. Its name is Egyptian and resembles the name of the Egyptian queen Tahpenes. The city is identified with Tell Defenneh in the supplied material.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a city of Egypt, mentioned in the time of the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The name is evidently Egyptian, and closely resembles that of the Egyptian queen Tahpenes. It was evidently a town of lower Egypt, near or on the eastern border. When Johanan and the other captains went into Egypt “they came to Tahpanhes.” (Jeremiah 43:7) The Jews in Jeremiah’s time remained here. (Jeremiah 44:1) It was an important town, being twice mentioned by the latter prophet with Noph or Memphis. (Jeremiah 2:16; 46:14) Here stood a house of Pharaoh-hophra before which Jeremiah hid great stones. (Jeremiah 43:8-10)