Interesting Facts

• Timnah is listed as one of the sons of Jeush.
• Jeush was a son of Esau.
• Timnah is also listed as a “duke that came of Esau”.
• The name Timnah also refers to a location to which Judah went to shear his sheep.
• Aribath, the daughter of Shomron, the son of Abraham, bore a son named Achi to Benjamin, and the text notes Benjamin married Aribath in addition to his first wife. It is also stated that the dukes came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; including duke Timnah. This suggests that “Timnah” might refer to both a person and a place named after him.

Genealogy

• Timnah was a son of Jeush.
• Jeush was a son of Esau.
• Esau was the father of the Edomites.
• The sources do not provide information about Timnah’s birth, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

The text presents genealogical information linking Timnah to Esau, a significant figure in the ancestral narratives. The designation of Timnah as a “duke” suggests a tribal or clan leadership role within the Edomite lineage. The practice of naming geographical locations after individuals, particularly leaders or significant figures, was a common occurrence in ancient times, potentially explaining why “Timnah” also appears as a place name associated with Judah. The context of Judah going to Timnah to shear sheep points to agricultural and pastoral activities being prevalent during this period. Additionally, the mention of Tamar waiting by the way to Timnah highlights it as a recognizable and accessible location.

Narrative

Timnah’s personal story, as presented in these excerpts, is primarily genealogical. He is identified as a son of Jeush and a descendant of Esau, establishing his place within the broader family structures described. His designation as a duke indicates a position of authority or leadership within the Edomite community. Beyond this lineage and title, the texts do not offer specific actions or dialogues directly attributed to Timnah as an individual. However, the recurring mention of “Timnah” as a place in a later narrative involving Judah and Tamar suggests the enduring significance or recognition of this name, possibly due to the prominence of the individual Timnah in earlier generations. The narrative involving Judah highlights Timnah as a location relevant to the socio-economic activities of the time, such as sheep shearing, and as a point of reference within the landscape. Therefore, Timnah’s narrative presence in these sources is twofold: as an ancestor within a significant lineage and as a place name that serves as a backdrop for later events.