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Teman תֵּימָן

Male Edom H8487G 3 books

Grandson of Esau, associated with an Edomite clan

Biography

Teman is mentioned in Gen.36.11,15,42 and 1Ch.1.36,53 as a son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau. He was one of the chiefs of Edom. The name Teman is also associated with a prominent Edomite clan (Gen.36.34; 1Ch.1.45) and a region in Edom known for its wisdom (Jer.49.7; Oba.1.9). Several individuals from Teman are mentioned in the Book of Job, including Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's friends (Job.2.11; 4.1; 15.1; 22.1; 42.7,9). The Temanites were renowned for their wisdom, though Eliphaz's counsel to Job was ultimately misguided. Teman represents the wisdom and power of Edom, which was still inferior to the wisdom of God.

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In Scripture

3 biblical books ; 1 with study content
Genesis 4 verses
  • Genesis 36:11

    "The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz."

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  • Genesis 36:15

    "These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz,"

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  • Genesis 36:42

    "chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,"

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  • Genesis 36:34

    "Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place."

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1 Chronicles 3 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 1:36

    "The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek."

  • 1 Chronicles 1:53

    "chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,"

  • 1 Chronicles 1:45

    "Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place."

Job 5 verses
  • Job 2:11

    "Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come on him, they each came from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and to comfort him."

  • Job 4:1

    "Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,"

  • Job 15:1

    "Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,"

  • Job 22:1

    "Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,"

  • Job 42:7

    "It was so, that after Yahweh had spoken these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Hebrew תֵּימָן H8487G
Group Hebrew תֵּימָנִי H8489
Encyclopedia Article

Teman

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

6:11; 1Ch 1:36). A duke Teman is named among the chiefs or clans of Edom (Ge 36:42; 1Ch 1:53). He does not however appear first, in the place of the firstborn. Husham of the land of the Temanites was one of the ancient kings of Edom (Ge 36:34; 1Ch 1:45). From Obad 1:9 we gather that Teman was in the land of Esau (Edom). In Am 1:12 it is named along with Bozrah, the capital of Edom. In Eze 25:13 desolation is denounced upon Edom: "From Teman even unto Dedan shall they fall by the sword." Dedan being in the South, Teman must be sought in the North Eusebius, Onomasticon knows a district in the Gebalene region called Theman, and also a town with the same name, occupied by a Roman garrison, 15 miles from Petra. Unfortunately no indication of direction is given. No trace of the name has yet been found. It may have been on the road from Elath to Bozrah.

The inhabitants of Teman seem to have been famous for their wisdom (Jer 49:7; Obad 1:8 f). Eliphaz the Temanite was chief of the comforters of Job (2:11, etc.). The manner in which the city is mentioned by the prophets, now by itself, and again as standing for Edom, shows how important it must have been in their time.

W. Ewing

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tem'-e-ni, te'-me-ni (temeni, Baer, timeni; Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus Thaiman; Lucian, Thaimanei): The word temeni means a southerner, i.e. of Southern Judah; compare TEMAN (patronymic temani), the name of

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