TIP OF THE DAY 18: Name.meaning > Meaning

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TOPIC: Name.Meaning

QUESTION: With regard to personal names what are the nominal fallacy, genetic fallacy, and etymological fallacy?

ANSWER: from Perplexity

Based on the search results and the context of personal names, we can define these fallacies as follows:

Nominal Fallacy

The nominal fallacy, in the context of personal names, is the mistaken belief that giving someone a name explains or determines their characteristics or behavior. It involves assuming that a person's name carries inherent meaning or explanatory power about who they are[1].

Genetic Fallacy

When applied to personal names, the genetic fallacy involves dismissing or validating a person's arguments or qualities based solely on the origin or history of their name, rather than on the merits of their actual statements or actions[4].

Etymological Fallacy

In the context of personal names, the etymological fallacy is the error of assuming that the original or historical meaning of a name determines a person's current traits or destiny. It confuses the etymology or literal meaning of a name with the actual characteristics of the person bearing that name[2].

Key points to remember about these fallacies:

1. They all involve making unfounded assumptions based on a person's name.

2. They ignore the fact that names are often arbitrary and don't necessarily reflect a person's qualities.

3. These fallacies can lead to stereotyping or prejudice based on nothing more than a name.

4. They fail to consider that the meaning and significance of names can change over time and across cultures.

It's important to evaluate people based on their actual qualities, actions, and arguments rather than making assumptions based on their names.

Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_fallacy

[2] https://www.fallacyfiles.org/etymolog.html

[3] https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2022/12/in-a-word-bad-etymological-arguments/

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_fallacy

[5] https://blog.counselormagazine.com/2013/08/to-name-is-to-explain-or-is-it/

https://www.scribbr.com/fallacies/genetic-fallacy/

[7] https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095759891

QUESTION: How do I use the meaning of a name in Biblical studies without committing a fallacy?

ANSWER: from Perplexity although the Logos All search provides interesting results focused primarily on the etymological fallacy.

When using the meaning of names in Biblical studies, it's important to approach it carefully to avoid committing fallacies. Here are some guidelines:

1. Consider context first: Always prioritize the immediate context of the passage and the broader context of the book or Bible as a whole over the meaning of a name.

2. Use name meanings as supplementary information: Treat the meaning of names as potentially interesting or illuminating details, not as primary evidence for interpretation.

3. Recognize intentional name meanings: Some Biblical names were explicitly given with meaning, like "Jesus" meaning "savior." These can be more reliably used in interpretation.

4. Be cautious with etymology: Don't assume that the original etymology of a name determines its significance in every context.

5. Look for textual support: If the text itself draws attention to the meaning of a name, it's more likely to be relevant to interpretation.

6. Consider cultural context: Understand how names functioned in the ancient Near Eastern cultures represented in the Bible.

7. Avoid overinterpretation: Don't build major theological points solely on the meaning of a name.

8. Distinguish between description and prescription: Just because a name means something doesn't necessarily imply a command or universal truth.

9. Use scholarly resources: Consult reputable Biblical commentaries and linguistic studies to understand how names are being used in specific passages.

10. Maintain humility: Recognize that name meanings can be ambiguous or debated, and be open to alternative interpretations.

By following these guidelines, you can incorporate name meanings into your Biblical studies in a way that enriches understanding without falling into interpretive fallacies.

Citations:

[1] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-are-names-so-important-in-the-bible.html

[2] https://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0522/p18s1.html

[3] https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/name/

[4] https://biblescripture.net/7-best-practices-for-interpreting-biblical-texts-a-guide-for-beginners/

[5] https://credohouse.org/blog/seven-common-fallacies-of-biblical-interpretation

https://faithgateway.com/blogs/christian-books/names-reveal-value-and-meaning

[7] https://lukegeraty.com/2010/07/31/common-fallacies-of-biblical-interpretation-and-the-influence-upon-christian-traditions/

QUESTION: Was the meaning of personal names important in pre-exilic Hebrew society?

SOFTWARE: Simply enter the question into an All search. Why ask? So you don’t waste time gathering data that has little meaning which would be the case if the Hebrew culture didn’t recognize the meaning as important.

ANSWER: The synopsis from Verbum:

“The significance of personal names in pre-exilic Hebrew society is evident from several aspects mentioned in the articles. One article notes that early Hebrews carefully considered the meaning of a child's name, often using it to express the individual's characteristics or family circumstances[1]. Names were frequently derived from animals, plants, or natural phenomena, reflecting perceived qualities of the person[1]. Additionally, prophets sometimes gave their children names that served as living testimonies to their prophecies[1]. The importance of personal names is further emphasized in a study that argues for their value in evaluating the historical reliability of the Hebrew Bible[2]. This study suggests that the distribution and spelling of personal names in biblical texts can be compared with archaeological findings to test the texts' historical authenticity[2]. For instance, the spelling of the name "David" and the use of theophoric elements (names containing the divine name Yahweh) in personal names show patterns consistent with pre-exilic dating for certain biblical books[2]. However, it's worth noting that there is some debate among scholars regarding the chronological significance of certain name forms, with some suggesting that variations might reflect different regional or scribal traditions rather than strictly temporal distinctions[2][3].

[1] Samuel Macauley Jackson, ed., The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (New York; London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1908–1914), 77.

[2] Benjamin J. Noonan, “Review of Names in the Study of Biblical History: David, YHWH Names, and the Role of Personal Names by Francis I. Andersen and Richard S. Hess,” Ashland Theological Journal XLIII (2011): 149.

[3] Jens Bruun Kofoed, Text and History: Historiography and the Study of the Biblical Text (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2005), 175.”

QUESTION: Was the meaning of personal names important in Second Temple Hebrew society?

SOFTWARE: Simply enter the question into an All search.

ANSWER: The synopsis from Verbum:

The meaning of personal names was indeed significant in Second Temple Hebrew society, as evidenced by several aspects of naming practices during this period. Names often carried religious or symbolic significance, with many compound names expressing parents' recognition of divine assistance, desires for the child, or convictions[1]. The biblical authors frequently incorporated the meaning of personal names into narratives, using them for literary and theological purposes[1]. During the Second Temple period, the phenomenon of "double names" became more common, with Jews often having both a Hebrew name and a non-Hebrew name for use in Gentile contexts[1]. This practice reflects the importance placed on names and their meanings in different cultural settings. Additionally, some prophets used symbolic names for their children to convey prophetic messages[1]. The process of naming itself was sometimes seen as significant, with the act of naming potentially implying authority or responsibility[1]. However, it's worth noting that some scholars suggest certain biblical names may have been deliberately distorted or used as pseudonyms to mock or criticize their bearers, indicating a complex relationship with personal names in this society[2].

[1] Dana M. Pike and Mark Allan Powell, “Names,” in The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated), ed. Mark Allan Powell (New York: HarperCollins, 2011), 684.

[2] Yehuda T. Radday and Athalya Brenner, eds., On Humour and the Comic in the Hebrew Bible (Sheffield: Almond Press, 1990), 64.

QUESTION: How do I find the meaning of a name?

SOFTWARE: Method 1 Internet Hebrew scripture names only: My favorite source for the meaning of Hebrew names is Abarim Publications on the internet:

1. Click on Why you want to study the Bible, and transcend religion (abarim-publications.com) (or enter the URL www.abarim-publications.com into your browser),
2. On the upper left of the page, click on browse names and categories.
3. Select the appropriate category e.g. male names, female names, peoples, divine names, other gods …)
4. Select from the alphabetic list the desired entry.  For example, the entry for Naomi is”

The name Naomi:

Summary

Meaning

My Delight, Sweet

Etymology

From the verb נעם (naem), to be pleasant.

Related names

Via נעם (naem): Abinoam, Ahinoam, Elnaam, Naam, Naamah, Naaman, Naamathite, Nain, Naom

The name Naomi in the Bible

Naomi is the wife of Elimelech, and the mother of Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth 1:2). They live in Bethlehem but move to Moab, where Mahlon marries Ruth and Chilion marries Orpah (see Ruth 4:10). After the men die, Naomi and Ruth go to Bethlehem, where Ruth meets Boaz, marries him and becomes an ancestor of Jesus.

As Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem the local women recognize Naomi and call her by name. Naomi responds by saying to call her Mara (Ruth 1:20). Whether the women actually do that is not known but the author of the book of Ruth disregards her wish and keeps calling her Naomi.

Etymology of the name Naomi

The name Naomi is derived from the verb נעם (na'em) meaning to be pleasant, sweet, delightful, beautiful:

Excerpted from: Abarim Publications' Biblical Dictionary

נעם

The verb נעם (na'em) means to be pleasant, delightful or sweet. Derived nouns נעם (no'am) and נעמן (na'aman) mean pleasantness. Adjective נעים (na'im), means pleasant. The plural noun מנעמים (man'ammim) describes "sweets" or dainties. The adjective נעים (na'im) describes a soft or pleasant sound.

The letter י (yod) upon which our name ends, may either create an adjective (sweet), a possessive form (my sweetness), or may be a remnant of יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton יהוה, YHWH, or Yahweh.

Naomi meaning

For a meaning of the name Naomi, NOBSE Study Bible Name List goes with the possessive form and reads My Delight. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Name reads Pleasantness, but adds Of The Lord, assuming that the yod is not an adjective-maker but indicative of the name YHWH.

1. In actual practice, I have a shortcut to this site in the shortcuts section of the Application Toolbar.

Method 2: Search in books. Many Bible dictionaries include the meaning of a name in their entries. This method offers multiple opinions and multiple interpretations of how the meaning applies.

1. Open a search panel
2. Select a book search
3. Search either your books or type:encyclopedia (Bible dictionaries)
4. Use the search argument “meaning INTERSECTS headword:Naomi” where Naomi is replaced by whatever name you are interested in. Note that the headword parameter assures that the word meaning must be in an entry on Naomi.
5. Run the search.
6. Review the results noting the name/s meaning any other useful information.

Method 3: Lookup in a book of name meanings.

1. Open Smith, Stelman, and Judson Cornwall. The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos, 1998 , Hitchcock, Roswell D., ed. “An Interpreting Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names, Showing the Meaning of Nearly All the Names of Persons and Places in the Bible.” Hitchcock’s New and Complete Analysis of the Holy Bible: Or, the Whole of the Old and New Testaments. New York: A. J. Johnson, 1871. or similar resource either from the command bar, the library, or if you previously set them up, favorites or shortcut.
2. Use the navigation box to enter the name you wish to navigate to.
3. Note both of these resources are limited to the shorter Protestant canon.