We know the big names – Abraham, Moses, David. But what about the supporting cast, the characters who, while not central to the main narrative, still managed to leave their mark, however faint, on the tapestry of tradition?
Today, we're diving into the story of one such figure: Zepho, King of Kittim.
His tale, as pieced together in Ginzberg's undefined, is a wild ride involving political intrigue, monster slaying, and epic battles. It all starts with Zepho's relentless urging of King Agnias to invade Egypt, fueled by a deep-seated animosity toward Jacob's descendants. Agnias eventually relents, and a massive army is assembled.
Enter Balaam (yes, that Balaam), a mere fifteen-year-old at this point, but already renowned for his wisdom and magical prowess. Agnias asks him to foresee the outcome of the war, and Balaam, using wax figures and "magic water," predicts an Egyptian victory. Agnias, swayed by the divination, calls off the campaign.
Frustrated, Zepho flees to Kittim – a biblical designation often associated with Cyprus, or more broadly, the Mediterranean islands and coastal regions (Genesis 10:4). The people of Kittim welcome him with open arms, showering him with riches and offering him a prominent role in their military affairs.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. One day, while searching for a lost ox in the mountains, Zepho discovers a cave blocked by a massive stone. He smashes the stone and inside finds… well, a monster. Ginzberg describes it as "an animal formed like a man above and a he-goat below." Zepho, ever the hero, slays the beast, which had been terrorizing the local cattle. The grateful people of Kittim then institute a yearly festival in Zepho's honor, showering him with gifts and sacrifices.
But the story doesn't end there. Yaniah, the wife of King Agnias, falls ill, and her physicians attribute her sickness to the African climate. She longs for the water of the river Forma in her native Kittim. Agnias, desperate to cure his queen, goes to extraordinary lengths. He has the water shipped to Africa, and finding it superior to the local water, he builds a massive canal from Kittim to Africa, just to supply his wife with her preferred water source! He even imports earth and stone from Kittim to construct a palace for her. Talk about dedication!
Meanwhile, Zepho leads the Kittimites to victory against an African incursion. The people, impressed by his leadership, choose him as their king. His reign is marked by further military successes, including a campaign against the sons of Tubal and the "Islands of the Sea." He becomes a powerful ruler, and the people build him a grand palace.
But war is never far away. After a period of peace, the Africans invade Kittim, only to be soundly defeated by Zepho. Agnias, in desperation, assembles a massive army, joined by his brother Lucus. Zepho, facing overwhelming odds, appeals to his brethren in Seir for aid, but they refuse, having allied themselves with Agnias.
Outnumbered and facing annihilation, Zepho turns to the God of his ancestors. He prays for deliverance, invoking the covenant with Abraham and Isaac. God answers his prayer, and in a series of battles, Zepho decimates the African army.
Despite this divine intervention, Zepho, sadly, doesn't become a paragon of virtue. As the proverb says, "Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness," and Zepho continues to follow the idolatrous ways of his adopted people.
The defeated Balaam flees to Kittim and is welcomed by Zepho. Emboldened by his success and fueled by his continued hatred of Jacob's descendants – especially now that Joseph and his generation had passed – Zepho plots revenge. He allies himself with Hadad, the king of Edom, and other nations, forming a massive army.
They clash with the Egyptians and a small contingent of Israelites in the Valley of Pathros. The Egyptians, distrustful of the Israelites, make a pact that backfires horribly. In the initial battles, the Egyptians are routed, but when the Israelites finally join the fray, they unleash a devastating counterattack, sending Zepho's forces into disarray. The Egyptians, instead of helping, flee and even attack their Israelite allies.
So, what do we make of Zepho, King of Kittim? He's a complex figure – a warrior, a leader, a monster slayer, but also a man driven by vengeance and ultimately, a failure to embrace the God who saved him. He reminds us that even those who experience divine intervention can still stray from the path of righteousness. And perhaps, that the stories we choose to tell, and the figures we elevate, reflect not just history, but our own values and aspirations.