Teman(temani, temanite)
“On the right, i.e. south”
Summary
Teman was a grandson of Esau whose descendants inhabited a district in Edom famous for its wisdom, and from which came Eliphaz, chief of Job's comforters.
☩The Person
Teman was the grandson of Esau, being the son of his firstborn Eliphaz. A duke (chieftain) Teman is named among the chiefs or clans of Edom. His name means 'on the right,' indicating 'south' to one facing east.
☩The Region
The district of Teman was in the land of Edom, mentioned alongside Bozrah, Edom's capital. Based on prophetic references placing Teman opposite Dedan in the south, Teman appears to have been in the northern part of Edom. Eusebius knew of a district in the Gebalene region called Theman, and a town with the same name occupied by a Roman garrison 15 miles from Petra.
☩Renowned for Wisdom
The inhabitants of Teman were famous for their wisdom. Jeremiah asks rhetorically, 'Is wisdom no more in Teman?' Eliphaz the Temanite was chief of Job's comforters, representing Teman's reputation for sagacity. The prophets pronounce judgment on Teman along with the rest of Edom for their hostility toward Israel.
Related Verses20 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Teman," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Teman," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Teman," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).