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Teman

Edom

Region in Edom · today Edom region, southern Jordan

Meaning: “South

The Edomite region proverbial for wisdom — and named in the prophets’ oracles against Edom.

Location

Overview

Teman was a district of Edom, descended from Esau's grandson Teman (Genesis 36:11). Its name became a byword for wisdom, and it figures in the prophets and in Job.

The wisdom of Teman

Edom's reputation for sages is captured by Jeremiah's question, "Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent?" (Jeremiah 49:7). Eliphaz, the first of Job's friends, was "the Temanite" (Job 2:11).

Under the prophets' oracles

For Edom's violence against Judah, judgment was pronounced on Teman: "I will send a fire upon Teman" (Amos 1:12; cf. Ezekiel 25:13; Obadiah 9).

God came from Teman

Yet the same region appears in Habakkuk's majestic vision of God's advent: "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens" (Habakkuk 3:3).

Events Here

600 BC

Jeremiah’s oracle questions whether wisdom remains in Teman

Jeremiah 49:7

Scripture References

13 verses
Genesis3 verses

Genesis 36:11

And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. Zepho: or, Zephi

Genesis 36:15

These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,

Genesis 36:42

Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,

Joshua1 verse

Joshua 12:3

And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah: the south: or, Teman Ashdothpisgah: or, the springs of Pisgah, or, the hill

1 Chronicles2 verses

1 Chronicles 1:36

The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek. Zephi: or, Zepho

1 Chronicles 1:53

Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,

Jeremiah2 verses

Jeremiah 49:7

Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?

Jeremiah 49:20

Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

Ezekiel2 verses

Ezekiel 25:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. they: or, they shall fall by the sword unto Dedan

Ezekiel 47:19

And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward. strife: or, Meribah river: or, valley is the south side southward: or, is the south side toward Teman

Amos1 verse

Amos 1:12

But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

Obadiah1 verse

Obadiah 1:9

And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.

Habakkuk1 verse

Habakkuk 3:3

God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Teman: or, the south

Archaeology & History

Teman denotes a region or district of Edom (its name means "south") rather than a single identified city, in the highlands of southern Jordan. Its association with wisdom — and with Job's friend Eliphaz — reflects Edom's old reputation as a home of sages.

People who appear here

Eliphaz2×
Esau2×

Frequently asked about Teman

Where is Teman today?

Today, Teman corresponds to Edom region, southern Jordan.

What does the name Teman mean?

The name Teman means “South”.

What happened at Teman in the Bible?

Key biblical events at Teman include jeremiah’s oracle questions whether wisdom remains in teman.

Where is Teman first mentioned in the Bible?

Teman is first mentioned in Genesis 36:11.

How often is Teman mentioned in the Bible?

Teman is mentioned in 13 verses across 8 books: Genesis, Joshua, 1 Chronicles, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Obadiah, Habakkuk.

Why is Teman associated with wisdom?

Edom, and Teman in particular, was famed for its wise men; Jeremiah asks, "Is wisdom no more in Teman?" and Job’s friend Eliphaz was a Temanite.

Where was Teman?

A region of Edom in the highlands of southern Jordan; the name means "south."