Talmai
“Furrowed; or Bold”
Summary
Talmai is the name of two men in the Old Testament: one of the giant sons of Anak driven from Hebron, and a king of Geshur whose daughter married David.
☩Talmai the Anakite
Talmai was one of the three sons of Anak who dwelt in Hebron at the time of the Israelite conquest. When the spies sent by Moses explored Canaan, they reported seeing the sons of Anak at Hebron, which greatly frightened the Israelites. After the conquest, Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak—Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai—from Hebron, and they were subsequently slain by the men of Judah. Some scholars have attempted to identify these people with a tall, light-complexioned race depicted on Egyptian monuments as the Tanmahu.
☩Talmai King of Geshur
A different Talmai was the son of Ammihud and king of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom northeast of the Sea of Galilee. His daughter Maacah became one of David's wives and the mother of Absalom. He was probably a petty chieftain dependent on David's protection. When Absalom fled after assassinating his half-brother Amnon, he took refuge with his grandfather Talmai in Geshur, remaining there for three years until Joab arranged his return to Jerusalem.
Related Verses6 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Talmai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Talmai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Talmai," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.George Morrish, "Talmai," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).