TEMA . In Genesis 25:15 ( 1 Chronicles 1:30 ), a son of Ishmael. The country and people meant are still represented by the same name the modern Taima , a large oasis about 200 miles S.E. of the head of the Gulf of ‘Akabah, and the same distance due N. of Medina in W. Arabia. It was an important community in ancient times, mentioned in Assyr. [Note: Assyrian.] annals of the 8th cent. b.c., and later inhabited in part by Aramæans, who have left inscriptions. It was noted for its caravan traffic ( Job 6:19 , Isaiah 21:14 ), as might be expected from its position on the great trade routes.
J. F. McCurdy.