8547. Tamach
Lexical Summary
Tamach: To support, uphold, sustain

Original Word: תֶּמַח
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Temach
Pronunciation: tah-MAKH
Phonetic Spelling: (teh'-makh)
KJV: Tamah, Thamah
NASB: Temah
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Temach, one of the Nethinim

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Tamah, Thamah

Of uncertain derivation; Temach, one of the Nethinim -- Tamah, Thamah.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
head of a postexilic family
NASB Translation
Temah (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
תָּ֑מַח proper name, masculine head of a Jewish family, Ezra 2:53 = Nehemiah 7:55; ᵐ5 Θεμα (Nehemiah Ημαθ ᵐ5L Θεμαα

תָּמִיד see מוד p. 556.

תַּמִּים Exodus 26:24; Exodus 36:29 see [תָּאַם]. p. 1060f

Topical Lexicon
Name and Meaning

Temah (תֶּמַח) is the designation of a post-exilic family enrolled among the Nethinim, the “given ones” set apart to assist the Levites in the daily functions of the temple. Many link the name to the Hebrew verb “to sprout” or “to grow,” suggesting imagery of new life or healthy flourishing—an apt emblem for a clan restored from exile to fresh service in Zion.

Biblical Occurrences

Ezra 2:53 records “the descendants of Barkos, Sisera, and Temah” who returned with Zerubbabel.
Nehemiah 7:55 repeats the same roster when Nehemiah updates the census a generation later.

In both lists Temah appears in the middle of a trio, indicating a distinct but relatively small household within the larger body of temple servants.

Historical Setting

Following seventy years of Babylonian captivity, Cyrus’s decree (Ezra 1:1–4) opened the way for Jewish exiles to repatriate. Among the forty-two thousand free citizens (Ezra 2:64) were three hundred ninety-two men from families classed as Nethinim (Ezra 2:58). Temah’s descendants joined that caravanned remnant. Their willingness to abandon the comparative stability of life in Mesopotamia for the demanding task of rebuilding Jerusalem testifies to their covenant loyalty.

Role in Temple Ministry

The Nethinim’s origin reaches back to the Gibeonites who were “given” to serve (Joshua 9). Over centuries additional groups, perhaps including converts and war captives, were added (see 1 Chronicles 9:2). By Second-Temple times they formed a hereditary guild subordinate to the Levites. Rabbinic descriptions portray them drawing water, gathering wood, preparing sacrifices, and maintaining sacred precincts. Nothing indicates Temah’s family held higher status than other Nethinim, yet their names are forever etched in Scripture alongside priests and Levites—reminding readers that God notices every level of ministry.

Spiritual Significance

1. Faithfulness in obscurity. Temah’s household demonstrates that unnamed tasks (Colossians 3:23) advance God’s plan just as surely as high-profile leadership.
2. Continuity across generations. Appearing in both Ezra and Nehemiah some decades apart, the clan models perseverance; the calling to serve did not expire with the initial return but endured through the long, arduous work of restoration.
3. Fulfillment of prophetic promise. Isaiah foresaw exiles “springing up among the grass like willows by flowing streams” (Isaiah 44:4). Temah—possibly meaning “sprout”—embodies that promise as the nation begins to flourish anew.

Connection to the Redemptive Story

The inclusion of humble servants in the genealogies underscores a consistent biblical theme: God weaves lesser-known figures into the fabric of salvation history. Ezra’s list looks forward to a greater census recorded in Revelation 7, where God gathers a multitude from every tribe and tongue without reference to earthly rank.

Lessons for Contemporary Ministry

• Embrace servanthood. Whether cleaning facilities, managing logistics, or aiding the poor, believers imitate Christ who “took upon Himself the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).
• Value generational discipleship. Families like Temah’s challenge modern households to cultivate a heritage of worship and service.
• Rejoice in restoration. The return from exile foreshadows the gospel’s power to reclaim broken lives and repurpose them for sacred work.

Summary

Temah may appear only twice, yet the clan’s quiet commitment amid the rubble of Jerusalem offers a portrait of resilient, God-honoring service. Their legacy urges today’s church to celebrate every member whose steadfast labor causes the ministry of the word and the worship of God to thrive.

Forms and Transliterations
תָֽמַח׃ תמח׃ ṯā·maḥ Tamach ṯāmaḥ
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ezra 2:53
HEB: סִֽיסְרָ֖א בְּנֵי־ תָֽמַח׃
NAS: of Sisera, the sons of Temah,
KJV: of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
INT: of Sisera the sons of Temah

Nehemiah 7:55
HEB: סִֽיסְרָ֖א בְּנֵי־ תָֽמַח׃
NAS: of Sisera, the sons of Temah,
KJV: of Sisera, the children of Tamah,
INT: of Sisera the sons of Temah

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8547
2 Occurrences


ṯā·maḥ — 2 Occ.

8546
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