תַּחְפְּנֵיס (tach.pe.nes)
tach.pe.nes
Tahpenes
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Tahpenes refers to an Egyptian queen during the reigns of David and Solomon, appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings 11:19; 40). Her title translates to "wife of the king," marking her as a royal consort rather than a ruler in her own right. She is introduced in the context of Hadad the Edomite, who found refuge with Pharaoh after fleeing David’s conquests.
Tahpenes gave birth to a daughter while Hadad was in Egypt, though the text does not elaborate on her personal agency or political influence. Her mention serves primarily as a narrative device to illustrate the diplomatic ties between Egypt and Edom during this period. The name itself is of Egyptian origin, reflecting the cultural interactions of the United Monarchy.
As a proper noun with limited scriptural occurrence, Tahpenes provides a glimpse into the historical landscape of ancient Israel’s neighbors. Her presence in the text underscores the complex relationships between Israel, Egypt, and Edom during Solomon’s time, without offering further biographical details about her life or role beyond her royal status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tahpenes appears only twice in Scripture, yet it opens a window into the complex political landscape of ancient Israel. As an Egyptian queen and wife of Pharaoh, her presence highlights how David’s and Solomon’s reigns were shaped by international diplomacy. Her household became a place of refuge for Hadad, an Edomite prince fleeing conflict, showing that even rival nations sought safety within Egypt’s royal circle.
For believers today, this brief mention reminds us that God’s plans unfold through real historical relationships and political shifts. We do not know Tahpenes’ personal faith or inner life, but her story illustrates how God uses unexpected connections—like a foreign queen caring for a displaced child—to preserve lives and fulfill broader purposes. It invites us to trust that God is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel.
This glimpse into history encourages humility. Our own circumstances, whether in times of peace or displacement, are held within God’s larger narrative. We can find comfort knowing that even those on the margins of biblical accounts are part of His faithful stewardship of the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tahpenes3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּחְפְּנֵ֥יס1×
- תַּחְפְּנֵ֗יס1×
- תַחְפְּנֵ֔ס1×
Key Verses
-
I 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.
This verse establishes Tahpenes’ royal status and shows how Pharaoh’s favor toward Hadad extended to family alliances, embedding Israel’s neighbors within Egypt’s court.
-
I 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 Pharaoh.
Here Tahpenes is described as weaning Hadad’s son, Genubath, illustrating her role in nurturing the next generation of exiles within Pharaoh’s household.