Chanes (also rendered Hanes or Tahpanhes) refers to an Egyptian city β likely Heracleopolis Magna in Lower Egypt. It appears in Isaiah 30 as a symbol of Egypt's political power, which Isaiah warns Israel not to trust.
In Isaiah 30:4, Chanes represents Egyptian military and political might β the 'help that is worthless' to which faithless Israel looks instead of trusting God. The prophets consistently condemned political alliances with Egypt as a form of spiritual adultery β going back to the 'house of slavery' for salvation (cf. Isaiah 31:1). The name Chanes appears alongside Zoan (Tanis), another Egyptian political center. Theologically, Chanes stands for every worldly power that promises security but delivers shame. The one who trusts in Egypt's shadow for protection will find that 'the shade of Egypt is your shame' (Isaiah 30:3). True refuge is found only in the Holy One of Israel.