Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:Teman is a significant location and figure in the Bible, primarily associated with the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. It is both a geographical region and a personal name, often linked with wisdom and strength. Teman is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting its importance in biblical history and prophecy.
Etymology and Meaning:The name "Teman" is derived from the Hebrew word "תֵּימָן" (Teyman), which means "south" or "right hand." This reflects its geographical position relative to other regions in the biblical narrative.
Geographical Significance:Teman is identified as a region in Edom, located to the southeast of the Dead Sea. It is often associated with the city of Petra and the surrounding area. The land of Edom, where Teman is situated, is characterized by its rugged terrain and strategic location along ancient trade routes.
Biblical References:1.
Descendants of Esau: Teman is listed as one of the chiefs of Edom, a descendant of Esau. In
Genesis 36:11, we read, "The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz." This establishes Teman as a significant clan within the Edomite nation.
2.
Wisdom and Counsel: Teman is renowned for its wisdom. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet speaks of the wisdom of Teman: "Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?'" (
Jeremiah 49:7). This suggests that Teman was once a center of knowledge and understanding.
3.
Prophetic Judgment: Teman is frequently mentioned in prophetic literature concerning judgment against Edom. In
Amos 1:12, the Lord declares, "So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah." Similarly,
Obadiah 1:9 states, "Then your mighty men, O Teman, will be terrified, so that everyone in the mountains of Esau will be cut down in the slaughter." These prophecies highlight the impending divine judgment on Edom and its cities, including Teman.
4.
Habakkuk's Vision: In
Habakkuk 3:3, the prophet describes a theophany, a divine appearance, with a reference to Teman: "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth." This passage poetically portrays God's majestic presence and power, with Teman serving as a symbolic point of origin.
Cultural and Historical Context:Teman's reputation for wisdom and its strategic location made it a notable entity in the ancient Near East. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, were often in conflict with Israel, and their interactions are documented throughout the Old Testament. The prophetic declarations against Teman and Edom reflect the broader themes of justice and divine retribution found in the biblical narrative.
Conclusion:While Teman is not a central figure in the biblical account, its repeated mention underscores its importance in the cultural and historical landscape of the Bible. As a symbol of wisdom and a target of prophetic judgment, Teman serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between the nations surrounding Israel and the unfolding of God's plan in history.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
TemanTemani, the south; Africa; perfect
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Teman(the south).
- A son of Eliphaz, son of Esau by Adah. (Genesis 36:11,15,41;1 Chronicles 1:36,53) (B.C. about 1792.)
- A country, and probably a city, named after the Edomite phylarch, or from which the phylarch took his name. The Hebrew signifies "south," etc., see (Job 9:9;Isaiah 43:6) and it is probable that the land of Teman was a southern portion of the land of Edom, or, in a wider sense, that of the sons of the east. Teman is mentioned in five places by the prophets, in four of which it is connected with Edom and in two with Dedan. (Jeremiah 49:7,8;Ezekiel 25:13) Eusebius and Jerome mention Teman as a town in their day distant 15 miles from Petra, and a Roman post.
ATS Bible Dictionary
TemanSouth, a city and region in Eastern Idumaea, settled by Teman the grandson of Esau,Genesis 36:11,15,42 Am 1:12Habakkuk 3:3. The men of Teman,Genesis 36:34, like others of the Edomites, had the reputation of great wisdom,Jeremiah 49:7,20Obadiah 1:21. Compare the sayings of Eliphaz the Temanite in the book of Job.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Id.
(1.) A grandson of Esau, one of the "dukes of Edom" (Genesis 36:11, 15, 42).
(2.) A place in Southern Idumea, the land of "the sons of the east," frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It was noted for the wisdom of its inhabitants (Amos 1:12;Obadiah 1:8;Jeremiah 49:7;Ezek. 25:13). It was divided from the hills of Paran by the low plain of Arabah (Habakkuk 3:3).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TEMANte'-man (teman, "on the right," i.e. "south"; Thaiman): The name of a district and town in the land of Edom, named after Teman the grandson of Esau, the son of his firstborn, Eliphaz (Genesis 36:111 Chronicles 1:36). A duke Teman is named among the chiefs or clans of Edom (Genesis 36:421 Chronicles 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 (Genesis 36:341 Chronicles 1:45). From Obad 1:9 we gather that Teman was in the land of Esau (Edom). InAmos 1:12 it is named along with Bozrah, the capital of Edom. InEzekiel 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 (Jeremiah 49:7Obadiah 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
Strong's Hebrew
8487.Teman -- a N. district of Edom, also an Edomite chief... 8486, 8487.
Teman. 8488 . a N. district of Edom, also an Edomite chief.
Transliteration:
Teman Phonetic Spelling: (tay-mawn') Short Definition:
Teman.
...8486.teman -- south, south wind
... 8485, 8486.teman. 8487 . south, south wind. Transliteration:teman Phonetic
Spelling: (tay-mawn') Short Definition: south.... 8485, 8486.teman. 8487 ....
8489. Temani -- inhab. ofTeman
... Temani. 8490 . inhab. ofTeman. Transliteration: Temani Phonetic Spelling:
(tay-maw-nee') Short Definition: Temanite. Word Origin fromTeman Definition inhab....
Library
Obadiah
... later than the context. For "thy mighty men, OTeman," in v.9a, probably
we should read, "the mighty men ofTeman."]. The date of...
Of the Prophecy that is Contained in the Prayer and Song of...
... [1174] "God shall come fromTeman, and the Holy One from the shady and close mountain."
[1175] What is said here, "He shall come fromTeman," some interpret...
The Nations of the South-East
... The southern part of Edom was known asTeman; it was to the east ofTeman that
the Kadmonites or "children of the East" pitched their tents....
Chapter xxxvi
... And the sons of Eliphaz wereTeman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam and Kenaz.... Sons of Eliphaz
Sons of Reuel Sons of Oholibamah. ChiefTeman Chief Nahath Chief Jeush....
Heralds of the Morning
... 8, 9. And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision, beheld His appearing. "God came
fromTeman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory...
Heralds of the Morning.
... 454). And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision, beheld His appearing. "God came
fromTeman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory...
Ode iv.
... give--"GOD shall come fromTeman, and the Holy from the thick and shady mountain
of Paran.". [15] 1st ed. reverses the order of the previous two pairs of lines....
What the Prayers of the Saints for the Coming of Messiah Contained...
... wishing for, says: "When the years draw nigh, Thou wilt show Thyself: at the coming
of the times Thou wilt be manifested: God will come fromTeman," or "God...
Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... Strophe. God cometh fromTeman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory
covereth the heavens, And the earth is full of his praise....
General Service for the Festivals of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
... be filled with joy, O ye people. The Verse : God came fromTeman, and
the Holy One from mount Paran. O sing ye, the kindreds of...
Thesaurus
Teman (12 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TEMAN.
... A duke
Teman is named among the
chiefs or clans of Edom (Genesis 36:42 1 Chronicles 1:53).
...Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... God his strength. (1.) One of Job's "three friends" who visited him in his affliction
(4:1). He was a "Temanite", ie, a native ofTeman, in Idumea....
Kenaz (11 Occurrences)
... Kenaz (11 Occurrences). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz wereTeman, Omar, Zepho,
and Gatam, and Kenaz. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Zepho (3 Occurrences)
... Zepho (3 Occurrences). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz wereTeman, Omar, Zepho,
and Gatam, and Kenaz. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Omar (3 Occurrences)
... Omar (3 Occurrences). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz wereTeman, Omar, Zepho,
and Gatam, and Kenaz. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Duke (14 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:15 These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn
son of Esau; dukeTeman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz, (Root in KJV...
Gatam (3 Occurrences)
... Gatam (3 Occurrences). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz wereTeman, Omar, Zepho,
and Gatam, and Kenaz. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Esau's (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:15 These were the chiefs among the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz,
Esau's first son:Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, (BBE NIV)....
El'iphaz (6 Occurrences)
... wife of Esau. (See RSV). Genesis 36:11 The sons of Eliphaz wereTeman, Omar,
Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. (See RSV). Genesis 36:12...
Mibzar (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mibzar (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:42 chief Kenaz, chief
Teman, chief Mibzar, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What does it mean that God came from Teman (Habakkuk 3:3)? | GotQuestions.orgWas Yahweh originally a Edomite or Canaanite god? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Habakkuk | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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