temen
תמנ
'temen' might mean “place”, but it is difficult to determine with certainty.
'temen' is traditionally translated as “south”, but this is not supported contextually or etymologically.
Job 9:9 associates 'temen' with the constellations of Orion, Pleides, and Ursa Major. From a vantage point in the in the Northern Hemisphere, these constellations do appear in the southern sky during the evening hours, especially in the winter months. However, Ursa Major is a northern, circumpolar constellation, meaning it is always visible in the northern sky and in fact appears to circle the North Celestial Pole.
Job 9:9 states “yesi yes kecil kimeh heder temen”, or “completes Ursa Major Orion Pleiades within 'temen'”.
Clearly, an interpretation of “south” does not fit the context of this reference. Ursa Major by no means completes anything within the south. An interpretation of “completes Ursa Major Orion Pleiades within place” seems to make more sense.
Desert
More than a third of the time,1) 'temen' occurs along with negeb meaning “desert”.
It is therefore probable that 'temen' is an adjective that can be applied to a desert. It also occasionally appears with words meaning “home” or “territory”.