or תְּחַפְנְחֵס; (Ezekiel 30:18), or תַּחְפְּנֵס; (Jeremiah 2:16), of Egyptian derivation; Tachpanches, Techaphneches or Tachpenes, a place in Egypt; Tahapanes, Tahpanhes, Tehaphnehes.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Tachpanchêç**, represented by `{{H8471}}`, is a place name of Egyptian derivation. It appears **7 times** across **7 unique verses** in the Bible, with several variations in spelling such as Tahpanhes, Tehaphnehes, and Tahapanes. It refers to a specific location in the land of Egypt.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, **Tahpanhes** `{{H8471}}` serves as a key location during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. It was one of the cities in Egypt `{{H4714}}` where the remnant of Judah `{{H3064}}` fled, disobeying the voice `{{H6963}}` of the LORD `{{H3068}}` [[Jeremiah 43:7]]. It became a center for prophetic activity, as Jeremiah `{{H3414}}` received the word `{{H1697}}` of the LORD there [[Jeremiah 43:8]]. In a significant symbolic act, Jeremiah was commanded to hide `{{H2934}}` great `{{H1419}}` stones `{{H68}}` at the entry `{{H6607}}` of Pharaoh's `{{H6547}}` house `{{H1004}}` in Tahpanhes [[Jeremiah 43:9]]. The city is also listed alongside other Egyptian cities like Noph `{{H5297}}` and Migdol `{{H4024}}` as a place subject to divine judgment ([[Jeremiah 44:1]], [[Jeremiah 46:14]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the significance of **Tahpanhes** `{{H8471}}`:
* `{{H4714}}` **Mitsrayim** (Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim): As the country where Tahpanhes is located, Egypt is the broader setting for all related biblical events, often representing a place of both refuge and bondage [[Jeremiah 43:7]].
* `{{H3414}}` **Yirmᵉyâh** (Jeremiah): The prophet who delivered God's messages to the Jews `{{H3064}}` who had fled to Tahpanhes, making the city a stage for his ministry [[Jeremiah 44:1]].
* `{{H3068}}` **Yᵉhôvâh** (Jehovah, the Lord): The divine authority whose word `{{H1697}}` came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes and whose judgment was pronounced upon the city [[Jeremiah 43:8]].
* `{{H5297}}` **Nôph** (Noph): Another prominent Egyptian city often mentioned in conjunction with Tahpanhes in prophetic warnings, highlighting their shared fate ([[Jeremiah 2:16]], [[Jeremiah 46:14]]).
### Theological Significance
The narrative role of **Tahpanhes** `{{H8471}}` is significant in understanding themes of disobedience and divine sovereignty.
* **A Place of Disobedience:** Tahpanhes was a primary destination for the remnant of Jews `{{H3064}}` who explicitly disobeyed `{{H8085}}` the LORD’s `{{H3068}}` command not to go `{{H935}}` to the land `{{H776}}` of Egypt `{{H4714}}` [[Jeremiah 43:7]].
* **A Site for Prophetic Judgment:** The city becomes a backdrop for God's judgment. Prophecies declared that the sword `{{H2719}}` would devour `{{H398}}` it [[Jeremiah 46:14]] and that the day `{{H3117}}` would be darkened `{{H2821}}` there when God would break `{{H7665}}` the yokes `{{H4133}}` of Egypt [[Ezekiel 30:18]].
* **Symbol of Futile Escape:** The flight to Tahpanhes illustrates that geographical escape does not remove one from God's authority, as the word `{{H1697}}` of the LORD `{{H3068}}` reached Jeremiah `{{H3414}}` even there [[Jeremiah 43:8]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8471}}` **Tachpanchêç** is more than a geographical marker; it is a significant setting in the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. It functions as a symbol of misguided refuge, a place where the disobedient remnant of Judah sought safety but instead found the inescapable word and judgment of the LORD `{{H3068}}`. The events in Tahpanhes underscore the principle that God's sovereignty is not limited by borders and that His prophetic warnings will be fulfilled wherever His people are.
TRV