Lexical Summary Temani: Temanite, Temanites Original Word: תֵּימָנִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Temani, Temanite Patronymically from Teyman; a Temanite or descendant of Teman -- Temani, Temanite. see HEBREW Teyman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Teman Definition inhab. of Teman NASB Translation Temanite (6), Temanites (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תֵּימָנִי adjective, of a people always with article אֱלִיפַז הַתֵּימָנִי (see above) Job 2:11; Job 4:1; Job 15:1; Job 42:7,9 = הֵַתּמָנִי ׳אֱל Job 22:1; = proper name collective ׳אֶרֶץ הַתּ Genesis 36:34 the land of the Temanites = 1 Chronicles 1:45. Topical Lexicon Identity and Geographic Setting The designation “Temanite” identifies a native or inhabitant of Teman, a district in the highlands of Edom south-east of the Dead Sea. Teman was famed for wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7; Obadiah 8) and lay along ancient trade routes that connected Arabia, Edom, and the Negev with Judah. Being an Edomite center, Teman stood in hereditary kinship—and frequent tension—with the descendants of Jacob. Earliest Historical Notice The first appearance is in the Edomite king list: “When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place” (Genesis 36:34; compare 1 Chronicles 1:45). The verse shows that Teman possessed sufficient standing for its citizen, Husham, to become monarch over all Edom. Even in the patriarchal era the Temanites were integrated into regional politics. The Temanite in Wisdom Literature Every remaining occurrence belongs to the narrative frame of Job, where Eliphaz the Temanite is the chief spokesman among Job’s three comforters (Job 2:11; 4:1; 15:1; 22:1; 42:7, 9). • Eliphaz’s provenance from Teman fits the reputation of Edomite sages. His speeches are deeply reflective, appealing to visions (4:12-21), tradition (15:17-19), and retributive theology (22:4-30). Theological Significance 1. Wisdom’s Source: Teman’s intellectual heritage cannot substitute for the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). The Temanite dialogues illustrate that traditional moral logic is insufficient for explaining innocent suffering. Prophetic Echoes Later prophets announce judgment upon Teman for its pride (Obadiah 8-9; Ezekiel 25:13). The earlier figure of Eliphaz serves both as exhibit of Teman’s wisdom and as a foretaste of its correction when that wisdom resists divine truth. Ministry Applications • Apologetics: Christians may engage prevailing philosophies respectfully yet critically, as Job responds to Eliphaz, measuring every claim against the full counsel of God. Summary The Temanite represents both the heights and the hazards of human wisdom, displaying the universal quest for understanding while spotlighting the supremacy of divine revelation. His legacy calls the Church to seek wisdom from above, extend grace across ancestral divides, and proclaim Christ as the answer to the deepest riddles of life and suffering. Forms and Transliterations הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י הַֽתֵּמָנִ֗י הַתֵּֽימָנִ֗י הַתֵּֽימָנִ֜י הַתֵּימָנִֽי׃ הַתֵּימָנִי֙ התימני התימני׃ התמני hat·tê·mā·nî hatteimaNi hattemaNi hattêmānîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 36:34 HEB: חֻשָׁ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ הַתֵּימָנִֽי׃ NAS: of the land of the Temanites became king KJV: of the land of Temani reigned INT: and Husham of the land of the Temanites 1 Chronicles 1:45 Job 2:11 Job 4:1 Job 15:1 Job 22:1 Job 42:7 Job 42:9 8 Occurrences |