Original Word: תַּחְפְנֵיס
Part of Speech: Proper Name Feminine
Transliteration: Tachpneyc
Pronunciation: tahk-feh-NAYS
Phonetic Spelling: (takh-pen-ace')
KJV: Tahpenes
NASB: Tahpenes
Word Origin: [of Egyptian derivation]

1. Tachpenes, an Egyptian woman

Tahapanes, Tahpanhes, Tehaphnehes

Of Egyptian derivation; Tachpenes, an Egyptian woman -- Tahpenes.

Word Origin
from the same as Tachpanches
Definition
an Eg. queen
NASB Translation
Tahpenes (3).

תַּחְמְּנֵיס proper name, feminine Egyptian queen; — 1 Kings 11:19,20, נֵס- 1 Kings 11:20; Θεκ[χ]εμεινα.

Name and Identity

Tahpenes (Strong’s Hebrew 8472) is introduced in 1 Kings 11 as “the queen” of the Egyptian Pharaoh contemporary with King Solomon. Scripture presents her as a royal woman of influence whose household became a sanctuary for Hadad the Edomite, one of the instruments God used to discipline Solomon for his unfaithfulness (1 Kings 11:9–14).

Scriptural Occurrences

1 Kings 11:19 – Hadad “found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so he gave him in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Queen Tahpenes.”

1 Kings 11:20 – “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.” (Tahpenes is named twice in this verse.)

Historical Background

The setting is the latter part of Solomon’s reign (mid-tenth century BC). While Solomon’s military and economic power peaked, internal spiritual decline opened the door for external adversaries (1 Kings 11:14 ff). Egypt, no longer the dominant empire of earlier centuries, nevertheless extended diplomatic weight through marriage alliances. By granting asylum to Hadad and involving Tahpenes in the upbringing of Genubath, Pharaoh tied the royal house of Egypt to Edomite grievances against Israel. The precise Pharaoh is debated (often identified with Siamun or Psusennes II of the Twenty-First Dynasty), yet Scripture omits his name, focusing instead on the theological lesson of Yahweh’s sovereignty.

Role in the Narrative of Hadad the Edomite

Hadad, an Edomite prince who escaped Joab’s purge (1 Kings 11:15-17), grew to manhood in Egypt. Pharaoh cemented the relationship by giving Hadad his sister-in-law in marriage. Tahpenes herself acted as foster mother, personally weaning Genubath, thereby integrating him into the royal court. This maternal act ensured Edom’s future claimant possessed Egyptian backing, creating a potential pincer against Israel from both south and southwest.

Royal Influence and Court Protocol

Weaning in the ancient Near East marked social adoption and covenantal recognition. Tahpenes’ participation signified royal endorsement, much like Pharaoh’s daughter drawing Moses from the Nile (Exodus 2:5-10). Her involvement shows Egyptian queens could exercise political agency, functioning as patronesses of foreign protégés. This sheds light on Proverbs 31:1–9, where royal mothers instruct future kings—court women often shaped succession and policy.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty: Tahpenes’ hospitality to Hadad is one link in the chain by which “the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon” (1 Kings 11:14). Even in a pagan court, the purposes of God prevail.
2. Covenant Accountability: Solomon’s alliances with foreign women led to idolatry; simultaneously, a foreign woman—Tahpenes—nurtures the adversary God uses as discipline. The irony underlines Galatians 6:7, “whatever a man sows, he will reap.”
3. Preservation of Remnant: Hadad’s escape, marriage, and the birth of Genubath show how the Lord preserves national lines for His unfolding redemptive drama. Edom’s later participation in prophetic oracles (e.g., Obadiah) has roots in this survival narrative.

Practical Lessons for Believers

• Choices made in disobedience can empower future opposition; spiritual compromise in leadership reverberates through international events.
• God’s providence governs even secular courts. Christians serving in secular institutions can trust that the Lord directs history for His glory.
• Parenting and mentorship, represented by Tahpenes’ act of weaning, shape destinies. Faithful nurture under God’s truth prepares the next generation either for blessing or, if misdirected, for conflict.

Typological and Prophetic Foreshadowing

Tahpenes is one of several foreign women whose actions affect Israel’s account (compare Rahab, Ruth, Pharaoh’s daughter). Although unlike those women she is not depicted as turning to Israel’s God, her role anticipates the inclusion, for good or ill, of Gentile figures in the divine plan, culminating in the gospel’s outreach to all nations (Matthew 28:19).

Cultural Insights

Egyptian queens often held the title “Great Royal Wife” and could wield considerable influence. Their names frequently contained references to deities; the biblical preservation of Tahpenes’ name reflects historical accuracy and offers a touchpoint for Egyptology. Moreover, the double mention of her name in a single verse underscores her prominence in court life.

Related Entries

Hadad the Edomite – 1 Kings 11:14-22

Pharaoh (Solomon’s era) – 1 Kings 9:16; 11:18

Genubath – 1 Kings 11:20

Foreign Marriage Alliances – Deuteronomy 7:3–4; Nehemiah 13:23–27

Conclusion

Tahpenes occupies only three brief mentions, yet her influence is pivotal in the narrative that records Solomon’s decline and Israel’s emerging adversaries. Her life illustrates how God weaves the actions of nations and individuals into His sovereign tapestry, urging believers to steadfast obedience and confidence in His overarching rule.

תַּחְפְּנֵ֗יס תַּחְפְּנֵ֥יס תַחְפְּנֵ֔ס תחפניס תחפנס tachpeNeis tachpeNes taḥ·pə·nês ṯaḥ·pə·nês taḥpənês ṯaḥpənêsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts