Land of Tema

The Land of Tema (Te'-ma, Tema or Thaiman) is a biblical location where the descendants of Ishmael's son Tema dwelt. It has been identified with modern Teima', an oasis in northern Saudi Arabia lying about 320 km (200 mi) north of Medina and 64 km (40 mi) south of Dumat (Dumah), now known as el-Jauf[1]. The settlement sat on an ancient caravan road connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Aqaba, facilitating trade wealth[1]. Archaeologist Charles Doughty documented ruins of a city wall 4.8 km (3 mi) in circuit[1]. A recently discovered 6th-century BC Aramaic stele demonstrates Assyrian cultural influence[1]. References in Job 6:19 and cuneiform inscriptions confirm its trade route significance, and it is often associated with the Land of Dumah[1].