Timna
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Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:
Timna is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the genealogies and narratives of the Edomites. Her account is interwoven with the lineage of Esau, the brother of Jacob, and provides insight into the familial and tribal dynamics of the ancient Near East.

Biblical References:
Timna is first introduced in the Book of Genesis, where she is mentioned in the genealogical records of Esau's descendants. Genesis 36:12 states, "Additionally, Timna was a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Adah." This passage highlights her role as the mother of Amalek, the progenitor of the Amalekites, a group that would later become significant adversaries of Israel.

Further mention of Timna is found in Genesis 36:22, which notes, "The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Timna was Lotan’s sister." This reference situates Timna within the Horite clan, indicating her familial connections to the Seirites, who inhabited the region of Seir before the Edomites.

Historical and Cultural Context:
Timna's inclusion in the genealogies underscores the complex interrelations between the various tribes and peoples of the ancient Near East. As a concubine of Eliphaz, Timna's status reflects the social customs of the time, where concubinage was a recognized institution, often used to forge alliances and strengthen familial ties.

The mention of Timna as the mother of Amalek is particularly significant, as the Amalekites are frequently depicted as enemies of Israel throughout the biblical narrative. This enmity is first recorded in Exodus 17:8-16, where the Amalekites attack the Israelites at Rephidim, leading to a divine decree of perpetual conflict between the two nations.

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, Timna's account is a reminder of the broader narrative of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan through the generations. Her connection to the Amalekites serves as a backdrop to the recurring theme of conflict between the descendants of Esau and Jacob, illustrating the fulfillment of God's prophecy to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

Conclusion:
While Timna is a relatively minor figure in the biblical text, her role as a matriarch of the Amalekites and her connections to the Horites and Edomites provide valuable insights into the genealogical and tribal dynamics of the ancient world. Her account is a testament to the intricate tapestry of relationships that shaped the history and theology of the Old Testament.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Timna

A secondary wife of Eliphaz the son Esau, a name which recurs in the records of the Idumaena tribes, Genesis 36:12,22,40; 1 Chronicles 1:36,51.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TIMNA

tim'-na (timna`; Thamna): A conbubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, and the mother of Amalek (Genesis 36:12). But in Genesis 36:22 and 1 Chronicles 1:39 Timna is the sister of Lotan, and in Genesis 36:40 and 1 Chronicles 1:51 a chief or elan of Edom (see TIMNAH (3)). These variations are to be expected when the origin of genealogies is recalled. (In Genesis, English Versions of the Bible read, contrary to rule, "Timnah.") Gunkel's theory is that Genesis 36:12 is a later insertion in P.

Strong's Hebrew
8555. Timna -- an Edomite name
... 8554, 8555. Timna. 8556 . an Edomite name. Transliteration: Timna Phonetic
Spelling: (tim-naw') Short Definition: Timna. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/8555.htm - 6k
Library

Chapter xxxvi
... These are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom. And
the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and the sister of Lotan was Timna. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Thesaurus
Timna (6 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia TIMNA. tim'-na (timna`; Thamna): A conbubine of Eliphaz,
Esau's son, and the mother of Amalek (Genesis 36:12). ...Timna (6 Occurrences). ...
/t/timna.htm - 9k

Timnah (12 Occurrences)
... 417, 441, Sh XVI). (3) There was probably a Timna in Edom (Genesis 36:12,
22, 40 1 Chronicles 1:39, 51). Eusebius and Jerome (in ...
/t/timnah.htm - 13k

Homam (2 Occurrences)
... Heman. Lotan's sister was Timna. (See NIV). 1 Chronicles 1:39 The sons of
Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister. (WEB ...
/h/homam.htm - 7k

Jetheth (2 Occurrences)
... 36:40 These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families,
after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah ...
/j/jetheth.htm - 7k

Lotan (5 Occurrences)
... Lotan's sister was Timna. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ... 1 Chronicles
1:39 The sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister. ...
/l/lotan.htm - 8k

Lotan's (2 Occurrences)
... Lotan's sister was Timna. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles
1:39 The sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister. ...
/l/lotan's.htm - 6k

Alvah (2 Occurrences)
... 36:40 These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families,
after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah ...
/a/alvah.htm - 7k

Am'alek (21 Occurrences)
... Am'alek (21 Occurrences). Genesis 36:12 Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's son;
and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, Esau's wife. ...
/a/am'alek.htm - 11k

Hori (4 Occurrences)
... Lotan's sister was Timna. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ... 1 Chronicles
1:39 The sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister. ...
/h/hori.htm - 7k

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Genesis 36:12 Timna was concubine
to Eliphaz, Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. ...
/e/eliphaz.htm - 15k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Timna (6 Occurrences)

Genesis 36:12
Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, Esau's wife.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 36:22
The children of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan's sister was Timna.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 36:40
These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:36
The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:39
The sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan's sister.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 1:51
Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Timna

Timna or Timnah

Timna: Concubine of Eliphaz

Timna: Daughter of Seir

Timna: Son of Eliphaz

Related Terms

Timnah (12 Occurrences)

Homam (2 Occurrences)

Jetheth (2 Occurrences)

Lotan (5 Occurrences)

Lotan's (2 Occurrences)

Alvah (2 Occurrences)

Am'alek (21 Occurrences)

Hori (4 Occurrences)

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)

Amalek (35 Occurrences)

Zephi (1 Occurrence)

Zepho (3 Occurrences)

Kenaz (11 Occurrences)

Omar (3 Occurrences)

Localities (1 Occurrence)

Gatam (3 Occurrences)

Grandsons (9 Occurrences)

Families (272 Occurrences)

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)

Timidity (2 Occurrences)

Teman (12 Occurrences)

Regions (22 Occurrences)

Esau's (13 Occurrences)

El'iphaz (6 Occurrences)

Eli'phaz (7 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Concubine (21 Occurrences)

Aliah (1 Occurrence)

Al'iah (1 Occurrence)

Adah (8 Occurrences)

Chiefs (227 Occurrences)

Sister (113 Occurrences)

Connection (72 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Descended (64 Occurrences)

Hemam (1 Occurrence)

Hadad (38 Occurrences)

Heman (17 Occurrences)

Bare (250 Occurrences)

Dwelling (340 Occurrences)

Places (610 Occurrences)

Bore (221 Occurrences)

Edom (108 Occurrences)

Arabia (9 Occurrences)

Names (133 Occurrences)

Timing of God
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