What Rashi is doing here is mental gymnastics. Faced with a clear
discrepancy between what seems to be the simplest etymology for the name and
the explanation that the text actually gives, he finds a way for both to be
correct. That's why I like Ralbag's comment.
Yigal Levin
-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Shoshanna Walker
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 8:13 PM
To: K Randolph
Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Theophoric Names
Rashi:
"Samuel:: El after the name of God, and in reference to the incident, he
was so called, for I asked him of the Lord." (ie; His name is God)
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