Tema
Tema was a son of Ishmael and is associated with the ancient Arabian city of Tema.
Biography
Tema was the ninth of Ishmael's twelve sons, listed in Genesis 25:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:30. As a grandson of Abraham through Hagar, he belonged to the branch of the family that God had promised would become a great nation (Genesis 17:20), distinct from but related to the Israelite covenant line. Tema's name is shared with an ancient oasis city in northwestern Arabia, modern Tayma, which sat astride important caravan routes connecting Mesopotamia with Egypt and Arabia. This city was famous in antiquity for its strategic location and its role in international trade. The identification of the man with the place suggests Tema was regarded as the eponymous ancestor of the people who settled and built that region.
Significance
Tema is one of several Ishmaelite figures whose names map directly onto the Arabian geography of antiquity, providing a biblical framework for understanding the origins of ancient Near Eastern peoples. Scripture references the region of Tema in contexts that highlight both its commercial importance and its vulnerability before divine judgment. Isaiah 21:14 mentions Tema in an oracle about Arabia, and Job 6:19 alludes to caravans from Tema, reflecting the city's prominence as a desert trading hub. Though Tema himself receives no narrative, his genealogical placement within the Abrahamic family underscores the biblical conviction that God's providential oversight extends beyond Israel to encompass all the families of the earth descended from Abraham.
Verse Appearances (2)
Genesis
1 Chronicles
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]