BIBLE NAMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 December 1934, Page 9

BIBLE NAMES

WHAT THEY MEAN. The Old Testament was originally written in the Hebrew tongue, which is generally recognised as having the best claims to. be considered to be the most ancient language—perhaps the most primeval tongue of the human race. By the Hebrew language, therefore, is meant that which was spoken by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve Patriarchs, and in which Moses wrote, says the “News-Chronicle.” The name of the language, Hebrew, is supposed by some to derive its name from Heber, great-grandson, of Shein, whose posterity were denominated “Hebrews,” but it is more likely that it received its name because it was the mother-tongue of the descendants of Abraham, who were called “Hebrews,” not because they were descended 'from Heber, but because Abraham having received a command from God to leave the- country where he lived, beyond the Euphrates, passed that river, and entered the land of Canaan, where the inhabitants of the country gave him the name of “the Hebrew,” “one who has passed over.” The names which the Scripture explains are drawn from Hebrew roots. It was thus that the first. man was called Adam, because he . had been formed out of the ground, which in Hebrew is called “Adainah.” The first woman was called EYe, because she was the origin of life-to ajl. "Evach” in Hebrew signifying? “to ,l.ivc.” The name of Cain, derived from “Canah,” signifying “to acquire.’.’ or. “gel." alludes to what.-Eve said'when he was born —“f have got a, man from the Lord.” The explanation of these names is not to 'be--found; in any; language but the Hebrew. As the relation between names;and .things, not occur in any other language,we can see the reasons why the first human beings were so called. • The names: of many people, also, who are descended from the Hebrews, illustrate the antiquity both of the nation and the language. The Assyrians, for instance, derive their name from Ashur, the Elamites fiom Elam, the Arameans. from Aram, the Lydians from Lud, the Medes from Madai, and the lonians from Javan. All are traced in the Hebrew Bible to Shem, Ham, and Japhet. The names havq no signification in any language but the Hebrew. This shows that they are derived thence, ■ as are also -the ancient names of the Pa£an deities. An opposite example,, in allusion to the meaning of proper names in Hebrew, is to be found in the Book of Ruth, towards the end of the first, chapter, where it is said, “And. the whole town was in commotion about them; and the wotnen said, Is tins Naomi? And «she said to'them Call me not Naomi (which means Delightful)’ call me Marah (which means Bitter): for the Almighty (Emcr) hath caused .bitterness -exceedingly to me. I went away full, and Jehovah hath caused -me to : retufh empty ; wherefore then, do ye- call ’-me Naomi, since Jehovah' has brought affliction on me, and the Almighty hath caused evil, to befall me?” V.. '