Tema
“Desert; or Southland”
Summary
Tema was a son of Ishmael whose descendants became an Arabian tribe inhabiting the region that bears his name to this day.
☩The Person
Tema was the ninth of the twelve sons of Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar. These twelve sons became the ancestors of twelve tribes, fulfilling God's promise that Ishmael would become a great nation. The genealogical record appears in both Genesis 25:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:30, confirming Tema's place among the Ishmaelite patriarchs.
☩The Tribe and Region
The descendants of Tema became an Arabian tribe known for their desert caravans and hospitality to travelers. Job mentions 'the troops of Tema' alongside 'the companies of Sheba' as caravan merchants who traversed the desert wilderness. Isaiah prophesies about 'the inhabitants of the land of Tema' who brought water and bread to fugitives. The tribe occupied territory in the Arabian desert, and their name is preserved in the modern oasis town of Teima on the western border of the Nejd province, known for its excellent date palms.
Related Verses5 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Tema," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Tema," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Tema," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Tema," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).