תֵּימָן
Teman, the name of two Edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them
Definition
Teman (תֵּימָן) is a proper noun with two primary meanings in the Old Testament. First, it refers to a significant region or district within Edom, located south of Judah, known for its wisdom and military strength (Jeremiah 49:7, Ezekiel 25:13). Second, it is the name of several individuals, most notably a grandson of Esau and son of Eliphaz (Genesis 36:11, 15), whose descendants gave their name to the region. In some poetic contexts, the name 'Teman' can be used as a synonym for the entire land of Edom (Habakkuk 3:3).
Biblical Usage
The word is used 11 times, primarily in genealogical lists (Genesis 36, 1 Chronicles 1) and in prophetic oracles of judgment. In the latter, prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel pronounce God's judgment against Edom, using 'Teman' as a representative for the nation's pride and coming desolation (Jeremiah 49:20, Ezekiel 25:13). Its usage shifts from a simple personal/place name to a symbol of a proud enemy nation facing divine wrath.
Etymology
The name תֵּימָן (Têymân) is derived from the common Hebrew noun יָמִין (yāmîn, H3225), meaning 'right hand' or 'south.' This is because one faced east when giving directions, making the south the 'right-hand' direction. Thus, Teman literally means 'south' or 'southern region,' accurately describing its location relative to Israel. The alternate form תֵּמָן (Têmân) is a simple variant spelling.
Semantic Range
Teman is theologically significant as a symbol of human wisdom and pride facing God's judgment. The Edomites, descended from Esau, were perennial enemies of Israel (descended from Jacob). Prophets declared that Edom's renowned wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7) and fortified security would not save it from God's justice for its violence against Judah (Obadiah 1:9). Understanding Teman enriches reading by highlighting the theme that no nation, however wise or strong, is beyond the scope of God's sovereign judgment.
In the ancient Near East, Teman was understood as a specific, likely fortified, district within the kingdom of Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea. It was reputed for its wise men (Jeremiah 49:7), suggesting a center of learning or counsel. For the original Israelite audience, the name would evoke not just a location but the entire complex relationship with their Edomite cousins—a relationship marked by familial strife, rivalry, and hostility.
Edom (אֱדוֹם, H123) — The broader nation/people group, of which Teman was a part. Seir (שֵׂעִיר, H8165) — The mountainous region associated with Edom. south (יָמִין, H3225) — The directional root from which Teman is derived.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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