Teman (son of Eliphaz)

Biblical Record

Teman appears in the genealogy of Esau. Genesis 36:11 lists the sons of Eliphaz, Esau's firstborn, in order: "Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz." Teman is the first of them. Genesis 36:15 places "duke Teman" at the head of the list of chiefs (leaders of tribes) descended from Esau. 1 Chronicles 1:36 reproduces the same genealogy; there his brother Zepho is spelled "Zephi," and Timna and Amalek are also included. Genesis 36:12 identifies Timna as the concubine of Eliphaz and Amalek as the son she bore him.

Scripture records nothing about Teman's life or deeds. The text reveals only his lineage and his status as a chief.

Significance within Scripture

Genesis 36:40–43 again lists the chiefs descended from Esau, "according to their families, after their places, by their names." "Duke Teman" appears in verse 42 of this list, which 1 Chronicles 1:53 reproduces. Scholars regard the names in this list as both personal names and the names of the regions and clans in which their descendants lived.

Indeed, "Teman" is used in a number of passages to refer to a region of Edom or to Edom as a whole. Husham, a king of Edom, is described as being "of the land of Temani" (Genesis 36:34; 1 Chronicles 1:45). Jeremiah 49:7 asks, "Is wisdom no more in Teman?"—a question indicating that Teman was renowned for its wisdom. Teman also appears in prophecies of judgment against Edom (Jeremiah 49:20; Ezekiel 25:13; Amos 1:12; Obadiah 1:9). Habakkuk 3:3 declares, "God came from Teman."

The New Testament does not mention Teman.

Interpretation and Issues

In the Book of Job, Eliphaz, one of the friends who come to visit Job, is called "the Temanite" (Job 2:11; 4:1). Because he shares his name with Eliphaz, the father of Teman, interpretations linking the two have existed since ancient times. The appendix at the end of Job in the Septuagint is known to present Job's friend Eliphaz as a descendant of Esau and king of the Temanites.

The Hebrew text, however, does not specify any relationship between the two men named Eliphaz. Many commentators therefore take "the Temanite" in Job to mean a native of the region of Teman and regard him as distinct from the figure in the genealogy. The name Teman is explained as related to Hebrew words meaning "south" or "right hand."

In the Korean Church

Teman himself is rarely the subject of sermons or Sunday school lessons. His name usually comes up only in passing when the genealogy of Esau is read during reading through the Bible. The name "Teman" is more often mentioned as the place of origin of Eliphaz in expository preaching on Job.