Etymology and Meaning
The name "Temah" is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is often associated with "desert" or "south." This etymology reflects the geographical and cultural context of the biblical references to Temah.

Biblical References
Temah is mentioned in the context of the post-exilic period, specifically in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The references to Temah are primarily genealogical, indicating the descendants of a family or clan that returned from the Babylonian exile.

1. Ezra 2:53 : "the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah."
In this passage, Temah is listed among the families of the Nethinim, a group of temple servants who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. The Nethinim were assigned to assist the Levites in the service of the temple, and their inclusion in the genealogical records underscores their importance in the restoration of worship in Jerusalem.

2. Nehemiah 7:55 : "the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah."
This verse mirrors the account in Ezra, reaffirming the presence of the Temah family among the Nethinim. The repetition of these genealogies in both Ezra and Nehemiah highlights the continuity and preservation of the community's identity and religious duties during the rebuilding of the temple and the city walls.

Historical and Cultural Context
The return from Babylonian exile was a significant event in Jewish history, marking the restoration of the Jewish community in Jerusalem and the reestablishment of temple worship. The Nethinim, including the descendants of Temah, played a crucial role in this process. Their service was vital for the functioning of the temple, and their dedication to their duties was a testament to their faithfulness and commitment to the covenant community.

Theological Significance
The mention of Temah and other families in the genealogical records of Ezra and Nehemiah serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in preserving His people. Despite the challenges of exile and the daunting task of rebuilding, the inclusion of these families in the sacred texts underscores the importance of every member in the community of faith. It reflects the biblical theme of restoration and the hope of renewal for God's people.

Conclusion
The descendants of Temah, as part of the Nethinim, exemplify the dedication and service required for the restoration of worship and community life in post-exilic Jerusalem. Their inclusion in the biblical narrative highlights the collective effort and divine providence in the reestablishment of the Jewish people in their homeland.TEMAH

te'-ma (temach, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Vaticanus Thema; Lucian, Themaa; Nehemiah 7:55; Codex Vaticanus Hemath; Codex Alexandrinus Thema; Lucian, Themaa; the King James Version, Thamah): The family name of a company of Nethinim (Ezra 2:53).

8540. temah -- a wonder
... 8539, 8540. temah. 8541 . a wonder. Transliteration: temah Phonetic Spelling:
(tem-ah') Short Definition: wonders. ... 8539, 8540. temah. 8541 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8540.htm - 6k

8547. Tamach -- head of a postexilic family
... 8546, 8547. Tamach. 8548 . head of a postexilic family. Transliteration:
Tamach Phonetic Spelling: (teh'-makh) Short Definition: Temah. ...
/hebrew/8547.htm - 6k

Chapter xxv
... to their generations: the first-born of Ishmael Nebaioth; and Kedar and Abdeel and
Mibsam, and Mishma and Dumah and Massa; Hadad and Temah, Jetur, Naphish and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Chapter xxiv
... which Rebekah made. Temah (h) er is, as usual, used practically as an
adverb""quickly" (cf. GK120 d). 19. Koenig (KC) rightly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Temah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia TEMAH. te'-ma (temach, Codex Alexandrinus ... 2:53).
Multi-Version Concordance Temah (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:53 ...
/t/temah.htm - 7k

Barkos (2 Occurrences)
... Barkos (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera,
the children of Temah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/barkos.htm - 7k

Sis'era (19 Occurrences)
... against them. (See RSV). Ezra 2:53 the children of Barkos, the children
of Sisera, the children of Temah; (See RSV). Nehemiah 7:55 ...
/s/sis'era.htm - 12k

Sisera (18 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of
Temah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Nehemiah ...
/s/sisera.htm - 17k

Tema (5 Occurrences)

/t/tema.htm - 9k

Teman (12 Occurrences)

/t/teman.htm - 12k

Thomei
... Vaticanus and Swete Thomthei; the King James Version, Thomoi): A family name of
temple-servants who returned with Zerubbabel (1 Esdras 5:32) = Temah in Ezra 2 ...
/t/thomei.htm - 6k

Tamah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia TAMAH. ta'-ma. See TEMAH. Multi-Version
Concordance Tamah (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 7:55 The children ...
/t/tamah.htm - 6k

Thamah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia THAMAH. tha'-ma. See TEMAH. Multi-Version
Concordance Thamah (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:53 The children ...
/t/thamah.htm - 7k

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