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Teman תֵּימָן

Male Edom H8487G 3 books

Grandson of Esau, associated with an Edomite clan

Who is Teman in the Bible?

Teman was a grandson of Esau and son of Eliphaz, mentioned in Genesis 36:11, 15, 42 and 1 Chronicles 1:36, 53 as one of the chiefs of Edom. The name also refers to an important Edomite clan and region that became renowned for its wisdom, though this wisdom was ultimately inferior to God's own wisdom. Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends who confronted him about his suffering (Job 2:11, 4:1), came from this region, and while the Temanites were celebrated for their knowledge, Eliphaz's counsel to Job proved misguided and was rebuked by God (Job 42:7, 9). Through Teman, the biblical narrative illustrates both the human limitations of worldly wisdom and the prominence of Edomite power and influence in the ancient Near East.

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, Gatam, and Kenaz."

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  • Genesis 36:15

    "These are the chiefs among the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,"

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  • Genesis 36:42

    "Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,"

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  • Genesis 36:34

    "When Jobab died, Husham from 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, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek."

  • 1 Chronicles 1:53

    "Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,"

  • 1 Chronicles 1:45

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

Job 5 verses
  • Job 2:11

    "Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him."

  • Job 4:1

    "Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:"

  • Job 15:1

    "Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:"

  • Job 22:1

    "Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:"

  • Job 42:7

    "After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Transliteration Meaning
Named Hebrew תֵּימָן tēymān Teman , the name of two Edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them
Group Hebrew תֵּימָנִי — —
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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