תָּ֑מַח (te.mach)
te.mach
Temah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Temah identifies a specific individual in the post-exilic community, appearing only twice in Scripture within Ezra 2:53 and Nehemiah 7:55. He is listed as the head of a family associated with the temple servants, known as the Sidonites, who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel.
Lexical sources note that his name translates to "laughter." This meaning stands in quiet contrast to the heavy historical context of exile and return, offering a subtle personal detail amidst the genealogical records. The text does not elaborate on his life or actions beyond this identification.
These passages serve primarily as administrative records, documenting the families who restored religious life in Jerusalem. Temah’s inclusion highlights the structured nature of the returning community, preserving the names of those who re-established their heritage after years in Babylon.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Genealogies often feel like dry lists of names, yet they carry deep significance for understanding who belonged to God’s people. The name Temah appears in Ezra and Nehemiah as part of the Sidonite family line, a group that returned from Babylon to help rebuild Jerusalem. This simple record reminds us that every individual mattered in the restoration of the community.
Meaning "laughter," his name offers a quiet contrast to the heavy years of exile. It suggests that even in times of hardship and rebuilding, there was room for joy and hope. These records preserve the identity of those who faithfully re-established their heritage, showing that God remembers each person by name.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Temah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תָֽמַח\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:53
the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
This verse lists Temah’s family among the temple servants returning with Zerubbabel, highlighting their specific role in restoring religious life.
-
Nehemiah 7:55
the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
The repetition of this list confirms the official nature of the record and ensures the Sidonite family’s identity was preserved for future generations.