Boy Old Testament Rare
Tema
admiration; perfection; consummation
תֵּימָא te.ma
Tema (Hebrew: תֵּימָא, te.ma) means “admiration; perfection; consummation”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Patriarchal period. In 2025 it was given to 8 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears in the same passages as Asshur.
Which Tema?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Tema
son of Ishmael
-
Tema
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 2 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 8 | Rising |
| All-time total | 189 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 10 in 2022 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 25:15 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 1:30 |
| Cross-references | 12 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Hadad co-occurrence Appears with Hadad in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Mishma co-occurrence Appears with Mishma in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Jetur co-occurrence Appears with Jetur in Genesis 25.
- Massa co-occurrence Appears with Massa in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Dumah co-occurrence Appears with Dumah in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Naphish co-occurrence Appears with Naphish in Genesis 25.
- Kedemah co-occurrence Appears with Kedemah in Genesis 25.
- Asshur co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Asshur.
Origin & meaning
A man of the Arabs living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.15;
son of: Ishmael (H3458);
brother of: Nebaioth (H5032), Kedar (H6938), Adbeel (H0110), Mibsam (H4017), Mishma (H4927), Dumah (H1746), Massa (H4854), Hadad (H2301), Jetur (H3195), Naphish (H5305), Kedemah (H6929) and Mahalath (H4258)
§ Tema = "desert"
1) the 9th son of Ishmael
2) the land settled by Tema the son of Ishmael
Tema was a son of Ishmael and is associated with the ancient Arabian city of Tema.
The biblical story
Tema is mentioned in Gen.25.15 and 1Ch.1.30 as one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar. He is listed among the "princes according to their nations" that descended from Ishmael. Tema is associated with the ancient city of Tema, an important oasis and caravan stop in northwestern Arabia. His descendants likely settled in or around this city.
Key verses
Tema appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
Genesis 25:15 -
Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
1 Chronicles 1:30
Show all 2 references
Genesis (1)
- Genesis 25:15
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 1:30