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This paper discusses the use of naming in the Bible as a narrative tool. It demonstrates how the meanings of names propel the biblical narrative and provide insights into the nature of a character's personality and fate. In addition, the paper suggests that characters' names may have served as mnemonic devices to help the narrator recall the true essence of each story as well as shape its core message.
To demonstrate these assertions, the paper examines the stories of Abraham ("father of multitudes") and, briefly, his wife, Sarah; Moses ("draw,'' as in from water); and King David ("beloved") and, briefly, his lover, Jonathan. The etymology of each character's name is demonstrated in the narrative in pivotal life events such as birth, career, and death. In the cases in which a name change occurs (Abraham, Sarah, and Jonathan), I examine the parallel change in the attitude of the character or in the trajectory of the story. Finally, the study calls for further research into the examination of names of disenfranchised groups in the Bible, such as servants and foreigners, as well as nations and their rulers, to determine whether those names similarly impact and reflect the narrative.
The importance of names in the Jewish tradition is emphasized by the use of the word HaShem, which means "the Name," as one of the most common ways in which to refer to God. While humans have a name, God, as all that exists, possesses the name. Another indication of the significance of names in the tradition is the first task given to Adam after his creation, that is, to name his coinhabitants in Creation: "And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field" (Gen. 2:2o).1
The ancient Hebrews, as well as other Semitic cultures, followed the principle of nomen est omen, or nominative determinism, whereby the meaning of a name plays a significant role in the fate, talent, and skill set of its owner (e.g., Jastrow). This paper explores how biblical naming served as a narrative tool that helped sharpen characters' true identities, natures, and even, in Jungian terms, shadows. It specifically demonstrates how names in the Bible represent the most effective words to...