Interesting Facts

• Angeas was the king of Africa, specifically residing in Dinhabah.
• He initially refused Zepho’s repeated attempts to incite war against the Egyptians, indicating a cautious approach and awareness of the Israelites’ strength.
• Angeas sought to marry Jania, a woman from Chittim renowned for her beauty and wisdom, leading to a conflict with Turnus.
• He found a unique solution to his wife Jania’s illness by bringing water and soil from her homeland to Africa, demonstrating resourcefulness and care for his spouse.
• Despite his initial reluctance to fight the Israelites, Angeas eventually mobilized a massive army against Zepho and the people of Chittim, showing a capacity for large-scale military action when provoked.

Genealogy

• Angeas was the king of Africa, ruling from the city of Dinhabah.
• He was the brother of Lucus, who was the king of Sardunia.
• Niblos was his nephew, the son of his brother Lucus.
• He married Jania, the daughter of Uzu, from the land of Chittim.
• Azdrubal is mentioned as the son of Angeas.

Historical Context

Angeas’s reign took place after the death of Joseph in Egypt, a period when the Egyptians began to assert greater control over the Israelites. The narrative involving Angeas reflects interactions between different regional powers, including Africa, Chittim (possibly representing a region in the Mediterranean), and Sardunia. The conflict over Jania highlights the importance of alliances and potential rivalries between these kingdoms. The rise of Zepho, an Edomite who escaped Egypt and became a powerful figure in Chittim, adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape, ultimately leading to significant conflict with Angeas. The initial reliance of Angeas on divination through Balaam suggests the prevalence of such practices in decision-making during this era.

Narrative

Angeas first appears as the king of Africa who hospitably receives Zepho, an escaped Edomite, and appoints him as captain of his army. Initially, Angeas resists Zepho’s calls for war against Egypt, showing a prudent understanding of the Israelites’ power. A significant portion of Angeas’s early narrative revolves around his pursuit of Jania for marriage, which leads him into conflict with Turnus, king of Bibentu. Angeas demonstrates military prowess by defeating Turnus and avenging his nephew Niblos. He shows a degree of political acumen by sparing Bibentu due to its connection with Chittim. Later, Angeas is persuaded by Zepho to prepare for war against the Israelites, but he backs down after a negative divination by Balaam. The central conflict of Angeas’s later narrative is his repeated clashes with Zepho, who becomes king of Chittim and inflicts significant defeats on Angeas’s forces. Despite mobilizing a massive army and even enlisting the help of his brother Lucus, Angeas is ultimately defeated by Zepho, leading to his retreat and a lasting fear of the Edomite king. His story highlights a trajectory from a powerful regional king to one diminished by repeated military failures against a former subordinate.