## The Legend of Tea Tephi

According to Irish legend, Tea Tephi was a daughter of King Zedekiah of Judah who escaped Babylon's conquest with the prophet Jeremiah. The story claims:
- Zedekiah's sons were killed, but his daughters Tea and Tamar Tephi escaped
- They traveled from Egypt to Spain, Gibraltar, Cornwall, and finally Ireland
- Tea Tephi allegedly brought sacred Hebrew relics (Ark of the Covenant, David's harp, Stone of Destiny)
- She married Irish King Heremon (Eochaidh) and became progenitor of the British monarchy

In genuine Irish legendary tradition (the **Lebor Gabála Érenn** / *Book of Invasions*):
- "Tea" or "Téa" is a mythological queen associated with the **Hill of Tara** — a site of pre-Celtic and Celtic ritual significance
- The **Lia Fáil** (Stone of Destiny) at Tara is a Celtic kingship stone, with no ancient connection to Israel
- The Milesian invasions are the legendary settlement narrative — no Jewish princess is mentioned

1. Jeremiah escaped Jerusalem with a **royal daughter** of Zedekiah (named Tea/Tamar Tephi — a name not found in the Bible)
2. They traveled: **Jerusalem → Egypt → Spain ("Tarshish") → Ireland (~583–580 BC)**
3. In Ireland, Tea Tephi supposedly married the High King **Eochaidh** at the Hill of **Tara** (whose name is said to derive from "Torah" or "Tea's Mound")
4. They allegedly brought:
   - The **Stone of Destiny (Lia Fáil)** — identified as Jacob's Pillar Stone
   - **Jeremiah's harp** — claimed to explain the harp on the Irish coat of arms
   - Possibly the **Ark of the Covenant**

## What Happened After King Zedekiah (586 BC)

When Babylon conquered Judah:
- **Zedekiah's fate**: His sons were executed before his eyes; he was blinded and taken to Babylon where he died in prison
- **The elite** (10,000 captives including nobility, army leaders, craftsmen) were exiled to Babylon
- **Gedaliah ben Ahikam** was appointed governor over the remaining poor in Judah
- After Gedaliah's assassination, **most remaining Jews fled to Egypt** (Migdol, Tahpanhes, Noph, Pathros)
- The Babylonian exile lasted approximately 70 years before Persia allowed return


The historical record shows Israelites went to **Babylon** and **Egypt**, not Ireland.