Biblical Hebrew Forum

[K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

David:

Your comment that you already know what many of us would respond made me
hesitate addressing your question directly.

As for why the different versions and textual traditions have the name
differently written, can be explained simply as a result of textual
corruption (copyist errors).

As for the name’s meaning, now we go into the area of speculation. Not all
names have clear connections to linguistic roots, and for some, that was
deliberate. Therefore we cannot make the assumption that names will have
recognizable roots. I don’t like speculating, so I prefer merely to
recognize that here we deal with a name, and let it go at that.

Karl W. Randolph.

On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 10:41 PM, David Kolinsky 
<yishalom AT sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> George,
>
> It was striking to me that in the Samaritan version this character's name
> is Aniram "(NY-RM" which may mean "he who is humble is exalted."   As far as
> I know, there is no root (NR in the semitic languages.  It is also, not
> uncommon to find words with final He, with their 2nd root letter doubled in
> a related word.  So (NN may also be related to (NH also suggesting "a
> condition of humility."  Presumably, (NN was the original because there is
> little reason for the Greek text to have changed the name.  Perhaps, those
> who may have felt comfortable making modifications to the text, felt that
> (NN was vague in meaning.  (NY-RM is much clearer but also an oxymoron.
> Perhaps, ANH-NR was more acceptable to some, "He who is humble is like a
> candle."  A small light, a humble light, that is nevertheless capable of
> shedding enough light for an entire room.   ANH-NR contracting to ANR.
>
> Thank you
> David Kolinsky
> Monterey, CA
>
>