1. Genealogical Background and Name Meaning

Talmai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the Anakim and the lineage of King David. The name "Talmai" is believed to mean "furrowed" or "plowman," which may suggest a connection to agriculture or a characteristic of strength and resilience.

2. Talmai, the Anakite

Talmai is first introduced as one of the three sons of Anak, a notable figure among the Anakim, a race of giants inhabiting the land of Canaan. The Anakim were known for their formidable size and strength, and they were among the inhabitants that the Israelites encountered during their conquest of the Promised Land. In the Book of Numbers, the spies sent by Moses to scout the land reported seeing the descendants of Anak, including Talmai, which instilled fear among the Israelites. Numbers 13:22 states, "They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were living."

3. Talmai, King of Geshur

Another prominent figure named Talmai is the king of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom located in the region of Bashan, east of the Sea of Galilee. This Talmai is significant in the biblical narrative due to his familial connection to King David. Talmai's daughter, Maacah, became one of David's wives and the mother of Absalom and Tamar. This alliance through marriage is indicative of the political and diplomatic relationships that David maintained with neighboring kingdoms. In 2 Samuel 3:3 , it is recorded, "His second was Chileab, the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third was Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur."

4. Absalom's Refuge in Geshur

The connection between David and Talmai becomes particularly significant during the rebellion of Absalom. After Absalom killed his half-brother Amnon in retribution for the rape of his sister Tamar, he fled to Geshur to seek refuge with his maternal grandfather, King Talmai. This period of exile lasted three years, during which Absalom was protected by Talmai, highlighting the strong familial ties and the sanctuary provided by his grandfather's kingdom. 2 Samuel 13:37-38 notes, "Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years."

5. Theological and Historical Significance

The accounts of Talmai in the Bible serve to illustrate the complex relationships between the Israelites and the surrounding nations. The presence of the Anakim, including Talmai, in the land of Canaan underscores the challenges faced by the Israelites in their conquest and settlement of the land. Meanwhile, the narrative of Talmai, king of Geshur, provides insight into the political alliances and family dynamics within the Davidic monarchy. These accounts reflect the broader themes of divine providence, judgment, and the unfolding of God's plan for His people through the lineage of David.Talmai

my furrow; that suspends the waters; heap of waters

Talmai

(bold).

1. One of the three sons of "the Anak" who were slain by the men of Judah. (Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10) (B.C. 1450.)
2. Son of Ammihud king of Geshur. (2 Samuel 3:3; 13:37; 1 Chronicles 3:2) He was probably a petty chieftain, dependent on David. (B.C. 1040.)

Talmai

King of Geshur, on the borders of Palestine and Syria. David married Maacha his daughter, the mother of Tamar and Absalom. The latter avenged the wrongs of his sister Tamar by the murder of Amnon, and then took refuge at the court of his grandfather, where he remained three years, 2 Samuel 3:3,13,14.

Abounding in furrows.

(1.) One of the Anakim of Hebron, who were slain by the men of Judah under Caleb (Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10).

(2.) A king of Geshur, to whom Absalom fled after he had put Amnon to death (2 Samuel 3:3; 13:37). His daughter, Maachah, was one of David's wives, and the mother of Absalom (1 Chronicles 3:2).

TALMAI

(1) A clan, possibly of Aramean origin, generally reputed to be of gigantic height; resident in Hebron at the time of the Hebrew conquest and driven thence by Caleb (Numbers 13:22 Joshua 15:14 Judges 1:10).

(2) A son of Ammihur (or Ammihud), king of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom, and a contemporary of David, to whom he gave his daughter Maacah in marriage. When Absalom fled from David after the assassination of Amnon he took refuge with Talmai at Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13:37 1 Chronicles 3:2).

8526. Talmay -- "plowman," a father-in-law of David, also a ...
... "plowman," a father-in-law of David, also a descendant of Anak. Transliteration:
Talmay Phonetic Spelling: (tal-mah'-ee) Short Definition: Talmai. ... Talmai. ...
/hebrew/8526.htm - 6k

Afraid of Giants
... Hamath.22. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman,
Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... by Ahinoam, and he was called Arenon; the second was Daniel, by his wife Abigail;
the name of the third was Absalom, by Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

Caleb --A Green Old Age
... What were the three Anak chiefs, with their barbarous names, Sheshai, and Ahiman,
and Talmai, and their giant stature, to the onset of a warrior faith like that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/caleba green old age.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... how one of their subdivisions, of which Caleb was the eponymous hero, had driven
from Hebron the three sons of Anak"Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai"and had ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Talmai (6 Occurrences)
...TALMAI. ... When Absalom fled from David after the assassination of Amnon he took refuge
with Talmai at Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13:37 1 Chronicles 3:2). ...
/t/talmai.htm - 9k

Geshur (11 Occurrences)
... In the time of David it was ruled by Talmai, whose daughter he married, and who
was the mother of Absalom, who fled to Geshur after the murder of Amnon (2 ...
/g/geshur.htm - 13k

Ahiman (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:14 Judges 1:20). The three names (Ahiman, Sheshai, Talmai) also
occur together in Judges 1:10. The word Anak in the Hebrew ...
/a/ahiman.htm - 10k

Maachah (19 Occurrences)
... (2.) A daughter of Talmai, king of the old native population of Geshur. She became
one of David's wives, and was the mother of Absalom (2 Samuel 3:3). ...
/m/maachah.htm - 16k

Ammihud (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) Numbers 34:20. (3.) Numbers 34:28. (4.) The father of Talmai, king of Geshur,
to whom Absalom fled after the murder of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:37). ...
/a/ammihud.htm - 11k

Ahi'man (4 Occurrences)
... Ahi'man (4 Occurrences). Numbers 13:22 And they went up into the South, and came
unto Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. ...
/a/ahi'man.htm - 7k

Sheshai (3 Occurrences)
... Sheshai (3 Occurrences). Numbers 13:22 They went up by the South, and came to Hebron;
and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. ...
/s/sheshai.htm - 8k

She'shai (3 Occurrences)
... Numbers 13:22 And they went up into the South, and came unto Hebron; and Ahiman,
Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. ...
/s/she'shai.htm - 7k

Maacah (30 Occurrences)
... (2) Septuagint: Codex Vaticanus Maacha; Codex Alexandrinus Maachath, the one wife
of David who was of royal rank, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, who ...
/m/maacah.htm - 20k

Ma'acah (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 3:3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite;
and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur ...
/m/ma'acah.htm - 12k

Who are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who is Caleb in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus