Girl Old Testament Known
Timna
תִּמְנָע
Timna (Hebrew: תִּמְנָע) is a biblical name; its Hebrew etymology is not securely established. Two people in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Patriarchal period. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Alvah in 1 Chronicles 1.
Which Timna?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Timna
mother of Amalek; son of Esau
-
Timna
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 6 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 36:12 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 1:51 |
| Cross-references | 36 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Eliphaz attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Jeush attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Jalam attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Reuel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Korah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Esau.
- Jetheth co-occurrence Appears with Jetheth in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Hemam co-occurrence Appears with Hemam in Genesis 36.
- Alvah co-occurrence Appears with Alvah in 1 Chronicles 1.
Origin & meaning
Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, son of Esau, and the mother of Amalek.
The biblical story
Timna is mentioned in Gen.36.12 as a concubine of Eliphaz, the son of Esau. She gave birth to Amalek, who became the ancestor of the Amalekites, a nomadic tribe that lived in the Negev and Sinai desert regions. The Amalekites later became enemies of the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and the period of the judges and early monarchy. No other details are provided about Timna's life or her relationship with Eliphaz.
Timna is also mentioned in Gen.36.40 and 1Ch.1.51 as one of the chiefs of Edom, a nation descended from Esau. This probably indicates they are descenced from this concubine, though this is not certain.
Key verses
Timna appears in 6 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau’s wife.
Genesis 36:12 -
And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.
Genesis 36:22 -
And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,
Genesis 36:40 -
The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
1 Chronicles 1:36 -
And the sons of Lotan; Hori, and Homam: and Timna was Lotan’s sister.
1 Chronicles 1:39
Show all 6 references
Genesis (3)
- Genesis 36:12
- Genesis 36:22
- Genesis 36:40
1 Chronicles (3)
- 1 Chronicles 1:36
- 1 Chronicles 1:39
- 1 Chronicles 1:51