Original Word: תֵּימָן
Part of Speech: proper name; masculine
Transliteration: Teyman
Pronunciation: tay-MAHN
Phonetic Spelling: (tay-mawn')
KJV: south, Teman
NASB: Teman
Word Origin: [the same as H8486 (תֵּימָן תֵּמָן - south)]

1. Teman, the name of two Edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them

south, Teman

Or Teman {tay-mawn'}; the same as teyman; Teman, the name of two Edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them -- south, Teman.

see HEBREW teyman

Word Origin
from the same as yamin
Definition
a N. district of Edom, also an Edomite chief
NASB Translation
Teman (12).

II. תֵּימָן proper name (masculine and)

of a location a northern district of Edom, poetic often = Edom Amos 1:12 ("" אֱדוֺם vAmos 1:11, and בָּצְרָה), Obadiah 9 ("" הַרעֵֿשָׂו), Jeremiah 49:7,20; Ezekiel 25:13 (all "" אֱדוֺם); Habakkuk 3:3 ("" הַרמָּֿארָן); probably also Joshua 12:3; Joshua 13:4 (both D); in Genesis 3:6 (P) as name of an Edomite chief, son of אֱלִיפַז and grandson of Esau Genesis 3:11 = 1 Chronicles 1:36; 1 Chronicles 1:42 = 1 Chronicles 1:53; so תֵּו֯מָן Genesis 36:15. — See further Buhl^{Edomiter 30}.

Name and Meaning

Teman (Hebrew תֵּימָן, Strong’s H8487) designates both “the south” and a specific Edomite clan and territory. The dual nuance already hints at its biblical role: a southerly neighbor whose fortunes and failings serve as a moral compass for Israel.

Genealogical Origins

Teman first appears in the patriarchal records as a grandson of Esau: “The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz” (Genesis 36:11). Repetition in Genesis 36:15, 42 and 1 Chronicles 1:36, 53 shows that Teman’s line became a principal Edomite clan. Scripture thus roots every later reference—whether of wisdom or of judgment—in the historical covenant context of Esau versus Jacob.

Geographical Setting

Teman developed into the northern sector of ancient Edom, centered around modern-day southern Jordan. Situated on the King’s Highway trade route and buffered by highlands, the region enjoyed strategic and economic strength. Its prominence explains why prophets often invoke Teman as shorthand for the whole of Edom.

Reputation for Wisdom

Jeremiah asks, “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent?” (Jeremiah 49:7). Extra-biblical tradition and the figure of Eliphaz the Temanite in Job underline a culture famed for sagacity. Yet Jeremiah’s taunt exposes the bankruptcy of wisdom divorced from the fear of the LORD—an abiding lesson for contemporary ministry that eloquence and philosophy must submit to divine revelation (compare 1 Corinthians 1:20).

Object of Prophetic Judgment

Because Edom rejoiced over Judah’s calamities, the prophets single out Teman for punitive fire:
• “I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah” (Amos 1:12).
• “Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD… Surely the little ones of the flock will be dragged away, and their pasture will be appalled at them” (Jeremiah 49:20).
• “Then the men of Teman will be terrified, so that everyone in the mountains of Esau will be cut down in the slaughter” (Obadiah 1:9).

Ezekiel 25:13 joins the chorus, promising desolation “from Teman to Dedan.” The cumulative effect displays God’s unwavering justice: covenant privilege offers no immunity when a nation exults in another’s fall.

Theophanic Significance

Habakkuk’s vision places the divine march at Teman’s horizon: “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran” (Habakkuk 3:3). In prophetic poetry the south becomes a stage for the LORD’s dramatic entrance to judge the nations and save His people. The imagery connects Teman to the Sinai-Paran complex, recalling earlier deliverance and foreshadowing a future, climactic visitation.

Theological and Ministry Implications

1. Covenant Accountability: Teman’s judgment confirms that proximity to God’s people does not guarantee blessing; attitude toward God’s covenant purposes determines destiny.
2. True Wisdom: The downfall of a region famed for insight warns believers against divorcing intellect from obedience.
3. Eschatological Assurance: Habakkuk’s theophany encourages the church that divine intervention will again break forth “from Teman”—that is, from unexpected quarters—to vindicate righteousness.

Summary

Teman moves through Scripture from genealogy to geography, from the boast of Edomite wisdom to the target of divine wrath, and finally to the backdrop of a glorious theophany. Its legacy calls God’s people to humility, faithfulness, and expectation of the LORD who still “comes from Teman” to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

בְּתֵימָ֑ן בתימן מִתֵּימָ֔ן מִתֵּימָ֣ן מתימן תֵּימָ֑ן תֵּימָ֖ן תֵּימָ֣ן תֵּימָ֤ן תֵּימָן֙ תֵימָ֑ן תימן bə·ṯê·mān beteiMan bəṯêmān mit·tê·mān mitteiMan mittêmān tê·mān ṯê·mān teiMan têmān ṯêmānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts