TIP OF THE DAY 22: Name.related-names > Variants (conclusion)

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QUESTION- How do I find the variants of a name?

SOFTWARE: Method 1: Search

A search that produces some interesting results:

1. Open a Search panel.
2. Set search type to all.
3. Set search argument to variant NEAR Joshua. Change Joshua to the appropriate name.
4. Screen the results for useful information.

Method 2: Perplexity comprehensive search

Using a query in the form of “For the Biblical Hebrew personal name Joshua, list the name in the Tanakh, Septuagint, Peshitta, and Vulgate; list the name in Abrahamic religions including small ones, list its variants, cognates, and related names of use in Biblical studies” in Perplexity gives reasonable but not exhaustive results. Note that the related names are relevant to the next topic – name in translation.

For the results see above.

QUESTION: What patterns do I look for in these variants?

SOFTWARE: Logos/Verbum is not designed to analyze word variants across time, space, social class, language dialects, or any other of the patterns sought by scholars. However, Logos/Verbum does have a relationship with SIL which offers this copyrighted article on language variations: Language Variation | SIL Global.

ANSWER: from Perplexity:

When examining name variants across a corpus of texts like scripture and related literature, you should look for several key patterns to explain the variations:

1. Linguistic and Dialectal Changes:

   - Observe how names evolve linguistically over time or across different regions.

   - Look for consistent sound shifts or spelling changes that reflect dialectal differences.

2. Cultural and Religious Influences:

   - Note the addition or removal of theophoric elements (divine names) in personal names.

   - Observe how names change when individuals convert to a new religion or culture.

3. Translation and Transliteration Patterns:

   - Examine how names are adapted when moving between languages (e.g., Hebrew to Greek, Aramaic to Greek).

   - Look for consistent patterns in how certain sounds or name elements are transliterated.

4. Social and Political Factors:

   - Consider how names change due to social status or political circumstances.

   - Look for patterns in name changes imposed by ruling powers (e.g., Babylonian names given to Hebrew captives).

5. Temporal Patterns:

   - Analyze how naming conventions change over different historical periods.

   - Look for names that are anachronistic or particularly fitting for specific eras.

6. Onomastic Congruence:

   - Check if the distribution and types of names fit the expected patterns for the time and place.

   - Look for appropriate ratios of common vs. rare names, and proper use of naming conventions.

7. Symbolic or Theological Significance:

   - Identify cases where name changes carry symbolic or theological meaning.

   - Look for patterns in how names are interpreted or reinterpreted for religious purposes.

8. Familial and Genealogical Patterns:

   - Observe naming patterns within families or genealogical lines.

   - Look for patterns in how patronymics or matronymics are used.

9. Gender-Specific Patterns:

   - Analyze how male and female names differ in structure or meaning.

   - Look for patterns in how gender is reflected in name variants.

10. Scribal Practices and Textual Transmission:

    - Consider how scribal errors or practices might have led to name variants.

    - Look for patterns in how names are abbreviated or expanded in different manuscripts.

11. Hellenization or Other Cultural Adaptations:

    - Observe how names are adapted to fit Greek (or other dominant cultural) naming conventions.

    - Look for patterns in how non-Greek names are given Greek equivalents.

12. Nickname and Alternate Name Usage:

    - Analyze patterns in how nicknames or alternate names are employed.

    - Look for consistency in how certain individuals are referred to across different texts.

By systematically examining these patterns, you can gain insights into the historical, cultural, linguistic, and religious factors that influenced name variations in your corpus of texts.

For the true data nerd: to understand the use of cluster charts for visualizing this type of linguistic data see Cluster analysis - Wikipedia and textbooks such as Schützler, Ole and Schlüter, Julia, editors. Data and Methods in Corpus Linguistics: Comparative Approaches. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022. This is to remind us that there are portions of Bible study that are very technical and time intensive; our goal should be to understand the information generated by scholars and use it appropriately.

QUESTION: How do I find cognates of a name?

SOFTWARE: Method 1: Search

A search that produces some interesting results:

1. Open a Search panel.
2. Set search type to all.
3. Set search argument to cognate NEAR Joshua. Change Joshua to the appropriate name.
4. Screen the results for useful information.

Method 2: Perplexity comprehensive search

Using a query in the form of “For the Biblical Hebrew personal name Joshua, list the name in the Tanakh, Septuagint, Peshitta, and Vulgate; list the name in Abrahamic religions including small ones, list its variants, cognates, and related names of use in Biblical studies” in Perplexity gives reasonable but not exhaustive results. Note that the related names are relevant to the next topic – name in translation.

For the results see above.

QUESTION: What are all known Abrahamic religions including extinct religions?

ANSWER: List generated by Perplexity modified:

• Judaism
• Christianity
• Islam
• Bahá'í Faith
• Samaritanism
• Druze Faith
• Rastafari
• Mandaeism
• Bábism
• Yazidism
• Atenism (extinct)
• Sabianism (mostly extinct)
• Ebionites (extinct)
• Elcesaites (extinct)
• Nazarenes (extinct Jewish-Christian sect)
• Manichaeism (extinct)
• Bogomilism (extinct)
• Catharism (extinct)
• Karaite Judaism (very small community remains)
• Falasha (Ethiopian Judaism, very small community remains)
• Sabbateanism (nearly extinct)
• Frankism (extinct)
• Noahidism (small modern movement)
• Ahl-e Haqq (Yarsanism)
• Alawites
• Ahmadiyya

QUESTION: What names are used in other Abrahamic religions?

SOFTWARE: Method 1: Search

A search that produces some interesting results but must be run for each Abrahamic religions:

1. Open a Search panel.
2. Set search type to all.
3. Set search argument to “what is the Muslim name for Joshua”. Change Joshua to the appropriate name.
4. Screen the results for useful information.

Method 2: Perplexity comprehensive search

Using a query in the form of “For the Biblical Hebrew personal name Joshua, list the name in the Tanakh, Septuagint, Peshitta, and Vulgate; list the name in Abrahamic religions including small ones, list its variants, cognates, and related names of use in Biblical studies” in Perplexity gives reasonable but not exhaustive results. Note that the related names are relevant to the next topic – name in translation.

For the results see above.

QUESTION: What names are used in the primary authoritative text traditions – Masoretic, Septuagint, Peshitta, and Vulgate?

SOFTWARE: Method 1: Search

A search that produces some interesting results but must be run for each of the four authoratative traditions:

1. Open a Search panel.
2. Set search type to all.
3. Set search argument to “what is the Vulgate name for Joshua”. Change Joshua to the appropriate name.
4. Screen the results for useful information.

Method 2: Perplexity comprehensive search

Using a query in the form of “For the Biblical Hebrew personal name Joshua, list the name in the Tanakh, Septuagint, Peshitta, and Vulgate; list the M,5E in Abrahamic religions including small ones, list its variants, cognates, and related names of use in Biblical studies” in Perplexity gives reasonable but not exhaustive results. Note that the related names are relevant to the next topic – name in translation.

For the results see above.

QUESTION: How can the study of names within a text help identify the date and origins of a text?

ANSWER: from Perplexity:

Based on the information provided, when reviewing lists of name variants in scripture and related literature, you should be looking for the following key patterns:[1]

1. Onomastic congruence: This refers to naming patterns that appropriately reflect the historical, cultural, and linguistic context of the time and place. Look for:

   - Names that fit the expected linguistic and cultural background

   - Appropriate ratios of common vs. rare names

   - Proper use of theophoric names (names incorporating divine elements)

   - Correct use of naming conventions for the time period

2. Consistency across related texts: Compare name usage across different books or manuscripts to see if there's consistency in how names are used and spelled.

3. Meaningful name changes: Look for instances where names are changed and the significance behind those changes (e.g., Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah).

4. Explanations for names: Note any provided etymologies or explanations for why certain names were given.

5. Nicknames and alternate names: Observe patterns in how nicknames or alternate names are used (e.g., Simon also called Peter).

6. Qualifiers and descriptors: Pay attention to how names are qualified or described (e.g., "James son of Alphaeus" vs. just "James").

7. Regional and cultural appropriateness: Check if names align with what we know about naming practices in specific regions or cultures mentioned in the texts.

8. Chronological appropriateness: Ensure names fit the historical period they're supposed to represent.

9. Linguistic features: Look for name elements that reflect specific language families or dialects relevant to the text's origin.

10. Theophoric elements: Note the frequency and types of divine elements incorporated into names.

11. Symbolic or prophetic naming: Identify cases where names have symbolic meanings related to the narrative.

12. Transliteration patterns: Observe how names are transliterated between different languages (e.g., Hebrew to Greek).

By analyzing these patterns, you can gain insights into the authenticity, origin, and historical context of the texts, as well as understand cultural and religious practices related to naming.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textual_variants_in_the_New_Testament and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textual_variants_in_the_Hebrew_Bible and https://record.adventistchurch.com/2022/10/04/the-ten-bible-characters-who-received-new-names/ and https://godwords.org/name-changes-in-the-bible/ and https://www.thetorah.com/article/whats-in-a-name-the-bible-vs-the-middle-ages and https://tyndalehouse.com/explore/articles/the-world-of-personal-names/ and https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/name-recall-in-the-synoptic-gospels/9507AEED21DACD1E1AC096B5321699C5