Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Yigal Levin <Yigal.Levin AT biu.ac.il>]

I'll go even further. Part of the writer's task is to write in such a way as 
to attract and engage his audience, so that they will want to read the story 
and then be receptive to the messages that are embedded in the story. Also, 
since at the time most people could not read, the stories were presumably 
read to the audience, and the etymologies helped people remember the stories 
and their contexts. In fact, some of the stories may well have originated in 
oral tradition, but that is impossible to actually prove. 


Yigal Levin

-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org 
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Bryant J. Williams 
III
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 12:38 AM
To: JimStinehart AT aol.com; b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Why Etymologies for Jacob's 11 Oldest Sons?

Dear Jim,

[Jim said]
Why does the Bible give us elaborate, explicit etymologies of the names of
Jacob’s 11 oldest sons?

No such explicit etymologies are set forth for the name of Jacob’s youngest
son, Benjamin, or for the name of Abraham’s proper male heir, Isaac.

[Bryant says]
First, the text gives the reason for the etymologies.

Second, Isaac's etymology is explained in the text. See Genesis 17:18-19;
18:9-15;21:1-7, "He laughs;" so also the etymologies of Jacob and Esau. 
Whether
one accepts or rejects what the texts say is another issue.

For the most part, the etymologies are there to explain why the individual is 
so
named. It is a "pun;" it is part of the story. BTW, In some instances, Nabal
(fool) in I Samuel, comes to mind. Nabal, as a noun, is also used in Pss 14:1 
&
53:1(vs. 2 MT). Isaac's name is part of the story because of the unbelief of
Abraham and Sarah. It proves God's sovereignty and faithfulness to the promise
and covenant made to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4; 15:9-21). Isaac was Abraham's
promised son, not Ishmael (Genesis 17:17-22). It is this promise, this 
covenant
that is highlighted in Galatians.

Rev. Bryant J. Williams III