Temeni is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Temeni was a descendant of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is named in the genealogical records of the tribe of Asher found in 1 Chronicles 4. These chapters preserve the family lines of Israel after the return from exile, reminding the people of their heritage and their place within the covenant community. Temeni appears in a brief list of names, with no narrative attached to him beyond his birth and lineage.
According to 1 Chronicles 4:6, Temeni was one of four sons born to a woman named Naarah, who was the wife of Ashhur. The verse reads, “And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.” Temeni is therefore listed alongside his brothers Ahuzam, Hepher, and Haahashtari as sons of Naarah. The text identifies him as a son of Naarah specifically, distinguishing this group of sons from others in the same genealogy.
Scripture records nothing further about Temeni’s life, deeds, or death. He appears only once in the King James Bible, in this single genealogical verse. He did nothing notable that Scripture preserves; he is simply one link in the family record of Asher. Yet his inclusion in the inspired text means his name was remembered among the people of God, counted in the tribe that bore Asher’s name.
The Name
The meaning of the name Temeni is not clearly recoverable from the Hebrew text. Some have suggested a connection to a root meaning “right hand” or “south,” but this is uncertain and not well established. Because the name appears only once in Scripture and carries no explanatory gloss, its precise meaning cannot be stated with confidence. It is better to acknowledge this plainly than to assign it a meaning the text does not support.
A Closing Thought
Most of us will never be remembered in a hall of fame or a history book. Temeni’s entire legacy in Scripture is a single line in a family record. Yet that line matters, because it places him within the people of God and the line of Asher. There is quiet comfort here: God does not forget the ordinary. A life lived faithfully, even without fame or record, is still held in the memory of the One who numbers the stars and calls them each by name.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Chronicles 4:6 — And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.