תֵּימָנִי
a Temanite or descendant of Teman
Definition
The Hebrew word תֵּימָנִי (Têymânîy) refers to a person from Teman, a region in ancient Edom, or a descendant of Teman, who was a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:11). It primarily functions as a gentilic noun, identifying individuals by their geographic or tribal origin. In the book of Job, it specifically denotes Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, who is called 'Eliphaz the Temanite' (Job 2:11, 4:1, etc.), linking him to this Edomite lineage. In genealogical lists like Genesis 36:34 and 1 Chronicles 1:45, it identifies rulers or descendants associated with the Temanite clan.
Biblical Usage
This word appears eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in two contexts. First, in genealogical records (Genesis 36:34, 1 Chronicles 1:45), it identifies figures from the lineage of Esau. Second, and most prominently, it is used in the book of Job to designate Job's friend Eliphaz (Job 2:11, 4:1, 15:1, 22:1), and later in God's address referencing him (Job 42:7, 42:9). Its usage consistently ties individuals to the Edomite region of Teman, known for wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7).
Etymology
Derived patronymically from תֵּימָן (Têmân, H8487), meaning 'south' or 'the south country,' which itself comes from the root יָמִין (yāmîn, H3225), meaning 'right hand' (as the south was oriented to the right when facing east). Thus, תֵּימָנִי literally means 'one from the south' or specifically from Teman, a region in Edom named for Teman, a descendant of Esau (Genesis 36:11).
Semantic Range
The designation 'Temanite' for Eliphaz in Job is theologically significant because it connects his speeches, which contain traditional wisdom yet are ultimately rebuked by God (Job 42:7), to the renowned wisdom of Edom (Jeremiah 49:7, Obadiah 1:8). This highlights a biblical theme that human wisdom, even from a reputed source, is insufficient before God's transcendent knowledge. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Job by emphasizing the contrast between human theological assumptions and divine perspective.
In the ancient Near East, Teman was a region in Edom, southeast of Israel, famous for its wisdom traditions (as noted in Jeremiah 49:7). Being called a 'Temanite' would culturally associate an individual with this reputation for insight and counsel. This context informs why Eliphaz, as a Temanite, is portrayed as a wise friend in the Book of Job, though his advice ultimately falls short.
אֱדֹמִי (ʼĔḏômîy, H123) — an Edomite, a broader term for people from Edom, while תֵּימָנִי specifies a sub-group from the Teman region.
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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