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Conservative Judaism/I Kings 11:19-20, Tahpenes

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Expert: - 8/16/2007


Question
All my questions are related to Queen Tahpense, I Kings 11:19-20. (1) What is the meaning of her name in Hebrew?
         (2) Why was she so popular? Only Egyptian queen named!    (3) The Jews must have known her?
         (4) Who was she in Egypt?
         (5) Is the city in Ezek. 30:18 named after her?
Respectfully, Garry Matheny

Answer
Dear Garry,

Thanks for writing. Unfortunately I am not a specialist in Egyptian language and applications.

Tahpenes is an Egyptian word. The Hebrew "givrah" which usually means "queen-mother" literally means the "principal lady of the land."

The queen took charge of the weaning which indicates the high regard in which Egypt held Hadad.

Beyond this, check the Anchor Bible Dictionary for the analysis fo the court of the Pharaoh and Hadad and the Encyclopedia Judaica.

Best wishes

Rabib Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

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I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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