Hanes
“Egyptian etymology, possibly related to Egyptian place name”
Summary
Hanes was a city in Egypt mentioned by Isaiah where Jewish ambassadors traveled seeking Egyptian alliance against Assyria, probably to be identified with either Heracleopolis Magna or Tahpanhes on the eastern frontier.
☩The Futile Embassy
Isaiah mentions Hanes in his prophecy rebuking Judah for seeking Egyptian help against Assyria: "For his princes were at Zoan, and his messengers came to Hanes." The prophet warned that trusting in Pharaoh would result only in shame and confusion, as Egypt's help was vain and worthless. Zoan (Tanis) was the royal capital in the eastern Delta; Hanes was another important city where Egyptian officials could be contacted.
☩Location Debate
Some scholars identify Hanes with Heracleopolis Magna (called Hnes or Ehnes in Coptic), one of ancient Egypt's royal cities, whose ruins lie west of the Nile near modern Benisuef. However, the great distance from Zoan makes this problematic. Others follow the Chaldee Paraphrase in identifying Hanes with Tahpanhes (Daphnae), a fortified town on the eastern frontier much closer to Zoan, which would make better geographical sense for an embassy's route.
Related Verses1 mention
Isaiah· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hanes," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Hanes," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hanes," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hanes," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).