TIP OF THE DAY 16: Name > Group -- First block of posts as .docx file

MJ. Smith
MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,269
edited November 20 in English Forum

Link to next post TIP OF THE DAY 17: Name > Theological import - Logos Forums

Here is the first 15 posts as a .docx file - I need to fix footnotes, finish spell checking, label Hebrew language snippets, and look for gaps where I've been unintentionally incomplete. But it's a starting point of about 100 pages.LogosVerbumDeepDiveIntoData_Released.docx

TOPIC: Name.Group

Yes, some of these questions simply reinforce definitions encountered earlier.

QUESTION: What types of groups are given names in the Bible Knowledgebase i.e. Logos coding structure?

ANSWER: This list is likely incomplete.

  • Ethnic
  • Geographic
  • Kinship
  • Occupational
  • Casual (groups such as “addressees of …” which exist only for a task or event

 

QUESTION: What is a gentilic?

ANSWER: From the All Search synopsis:

A gentilic, also known as a gentilic noun, is a linguistic term referring to a word that denotes the members of a group, typically based on their place of origin or nationality[1][2][3][4][5]. In Semitic languages, it is often formed by adding a specific suffix to a place name or noun[1][2]. For example, in Biblical Hebrew, the gentilic yod is used to create such terms (e.g., "Moab" becomes "Moabite")[1]. In English, examples of gentilics include words like "Saudi" and "Israeli"[2][3][5]. Grammatically, gentilic nouns are often formed by adding endings such as "-ī" in Semitic languages or "-i" in English to the base word[2][5]. These terms can also be used for certain generic adjectives, such as "foot soldier" (רַגְלִי) in Hebrew[2][3].

[1] Todd J. Murphy, Pocket Dictionary for the Study of Biblical Hebrew, The IVP Pocket Reference Series (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 78.

[2] Vincent M. Setterholm, Biblia Hebraica Transcripta Glossary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

[3] Michael S. Heiser and Vincent M. Setterholm, Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology (Lexham Press, 2013; 2013).

[4] Russell T. Fuller and Kyoungwon Choi, Invitation to Biblical Hebrew Syntax: An Intermediate Grammar, Invitation to Theological Studies Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2017), 420.

[5] Adam J. Howell, Ruth, Guide to Reading Biblical Hebrew (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2022), 304.

 

QUESTION: What is an eponymous name?

ANSWER: From the All Search synopsis:

An eponymous name is one that is derived from or relates to an individual who gives their name to something else[1][2]. This concept is closely tied to the term "eponym," which refers to the person after whom something is named[3]. The practice of using eponymous names can be seen in various contexts, such as in the naming of peoples or places. For example, in biblical tradition, the Israelites are named after their eponymous ancestor Israel, who is equated with Jacob[4]. Eponymous names can also be used for geographical locations, as seen in the concept of the "House of David," which some scholars suggest may refer to a place name rather than a historical figure[5].

[1] Edward Jacob Boyce, An Etymological Glossary of Nearly 2,500 English Words in Common Use Derived from the Greek (London: George Bell and Sons, 1878), 84.

[2] Brad Embry, Ronald Herms, and Archie T. Wright, eds., Early Jewish Literature: An Anthology, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 714.

[3] Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).

[4] R. J. D. Knauth, “Israelites,” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, ed. T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 453.

[5] William SPailer et al., Religious and Theological Abstracts (Myerstown, PA: Religious and Theological Abstracts, 2012).

 

QUESTION: What is a toponymic ethnonym?

ANSWER: From the Perplexity seach:

Yes, there is a special term for groups that are known by geographic terms. These groups are often referred to as "ethnonyms" or more specifically, "toponymic ethnonyms."

Toponymic Ethnonyms

Toponymic ethnonyms are names given to ethnic groups or peoples that are derived from geographic locations. This naming convention is quite common in the ancient world and continues to be used in modern times. Here are some key points about toponymic ethnonyms:

1. Definition: A toponymic ethnonym is an ethnic name based on a place name (toponym).

2. Formation: These names are typically formed by adding a suffix to a place name, or by using the place name itself to refer to the people from that area.

3. Historical significance: In ancient times, it was common to refer to groups of people by their geographic origin or current location, especially when dealing with foreign or less familiar groups.

Examples of Toponymic Ethnonyms

Many ancient and modern ethnic groups are known by names derived from their geographic location:

  • Canaanites: People from the land of Canaan
  • Galileans: Inhabitants of Galilee
  • Samaritans: People from Samaria
  • Egyptians: People from Egypt
  • Assyrians: People from Assyria

Importance in Historical and Cultural Studies

Toponymic ethnonyms are particularly important in historical and cultural studies for several reasons:

  • They provide insights into how ancient peoples conceptualized and categorized different groups.
  • They often reflect the perspective of the naming group rather than the group being named.
  • They can indicate historical migration patterns and settlement areas.
  • In some cases, they have evolved into modern ethnic identities.

It's worth noting that while toponymic ethnonyms were common in ancient times, they are not the only way groups were identified. Other methods, such as ancestral lineages, religious practices, and linguistic differences, were also used to distinguish between different ethnic and national groups.

Citations:

[1] https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/ethnic-groups

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_ethnic_groups

[3] https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/ap-hug/particular-groups

 

QUESTION: Is a name emic or etic?

ANSWER: From the All Search synopsis:

A name can be considered both emic and etic, depending on the perspective and context. In anthropology and linguistics, 'emic' refers to an insider's view or understanding within a cultural system, while 'etic' represents an outsider's perspective[1]. For example, when Europeans first called Native Americans "Indians," it was an etic perspective (an exonym), but over time, some Native Americans adopted this term, making it also an emic description (an endonym)[2]. The distinction between emic and etic viewpoints is crucial in cross-cultural studies, including biblical interpretation, where researchers must be cautious not to impose their own cultural perspectives anachronistically or ethnocentrically on ancient texts[1]. However, it's important to note that the emic-etic distinction is not always clear-cut, as demonstrated by the challenges in separating etic mental categories from emic superstructures in some anthropological approaches[3].

[1] John J. Pilch, Flights of the Soul: Visions, Heavenly Journeys, and Peak Experiences in the Biblical World (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2011), 5.

[2] K. L. Sparks, “Ethnicity,” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, ed. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 269.

[3] James W. Flanagan, David’s Social Drama: A Hologram of Israel’s Early Iron Age (Decatur, GA: Almond Press, 1988), 91.

 

QUESTION: How do I find ethnic group names?

SOFTWARE: Logos/Verbum has encoded the fact that a name is group rather than individual in the icon. Therefore, it is no available for searches. However, the Factbook Table of Contents provides a list of sorts.

  1. Open Factbook from the icon on the Application toolbar.
  2. If the left sidebar (Table of contents) is not open, use the toggle switch (three lines) beside the navigation box to toggle it open.
  3. Select person in the selection box.
  4. Scroll down to Ethnic Group and expand it.
  5. Expand a specific ethnic name e.g. Ammonites and note that there are some entries that differ by time and some entries for individuals in the ethnic group.

 

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