Tahpanhes

Tahpanhes (also spelled Tahpanhes, Tehaphnehes, or Daphnae) was an ancient fortified city in Lower Egypt, strategically important due to its location near the eastern frontier. It is identified with Tell Defenneh, located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Port Said.

Tahpanhes is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. It served as a refuge for Jewish exiles fleeing Nebuchadnezzar II's conquest of Jerusalem in the early 6th century BCE. The prophet Jeremiah, against his will, was taken to Tahpanhes along with other refugees. According to Jeremiah 43:9-10, God commanded Jeremiah to bury large stones in the brick pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes, prophesying that Nebuchadnezzar would set up his throne upon those stones and spread his royal canopy over them.

Ezekiel also prophesied against Tahpanhes, predicting its fall and the destruction of its idols (Ezekiel 30:18). The city likely held a significant Egyptian military presence and possibly a royal residence or administrative center during this period.

Archaeological excavations at Tell Defenneh have uncovered evidence of a large fortress, often attributed to Pharaoh Psammetichus I of the 26th Dynasty. This structure potentially served as a frontier outpost and a major trading center. The identification of Tell Defenneh with the biblical Tahpanhes is widely accepted among scholars, based on textual descriptions, archaeological findings, and geographical considerations. The site provides valuable insight into the interaction between Egypt, Judah, and Babylon during the Late Period.