Theophory in the Bible
Theophory is the practice of embedding the name of a god or a deity in, usually, a proper name.[note 1] Much Hebrew theophory occurs in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). The most prominent theophory involves names referring to:
- El, a word meaning might, power and (a) god in general, and hence in Judaism, God and among the Canaanites the name of the god who was the father of the 70 Sons of God, including Yahweh and Baal.
- Yah, a shortened form of Yahweh.
- Levantine deities (especially the storm god, Hadad) by the epithet baal, meaning lord. In later times, as the conflict between Yahwism and the more popular pagan practices became increasingly intense, these names were censored and baal was replaced with bosheth, meaning "shame".
El theophory
[edit]The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to El (אל) and their meanings in Hebrew:
Root | Root Meaning | El theophory | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
Abdi (עֲבְדִּי) | My Servant | Elabdi/Abdiel | My God serves/Servant of God |
Abi (אֲבִי) | My Father | Elabi/Abiel | My God is my Father/My Father is God |
Abima (אֲבִֽימָ) | A Father | Elabima/Abimael | My God is a father/A Father sent from God |
Adbe (אַדְבְּ) | Discipline | Eladbe/Adbeel | My God disciplined me/Disciplined of God[1] |
Adi (עדי) | Ornament, Jewel | Eladi/Adiel | Ornament of God |
Adri (עדרי) | Flock, Herd, Pack | Eladri/Adriel | My God herds/Flock of God |
Ammi (עַמִּי) | My People | Elammi/Ammiel | People of God |
Ari (אֲרִי) | Lion | Elari/Ariel | Lion of God |
Auri (אורי) | Flame | Elauri/Auriel | My God is my Flame/Flame of God |
Aza (עֲזָא) | Courage | Elaza/Azael | Whom God 'Strengthens/Encourages' |
Azaz (עֲזָאזֵ) | Courage as a weakness
(Foolhardiness) |
Elazaz/Azazel | My God Strengthens me
My God is Arrogant/Arrogant to God |
Azra (עֲזַרְ) | Help, Assistance | Elazra/Azrael | My God has helped/Help of God |
Barach (בָּרַכְ) | Blessing | Elbarach/Barachel | My God has blessed/Blessed of God |
Beth (בֵּית) | House | Elbeth/Bethel | House of God |
Betzal (בְּצַלְ) | Shadow, Protection | Elbezal/Betzalel | In the 'Path/Shadow' of God |
Cassi (קַצְפִּי) | Wrath, Anger | Elcassi/Cassiel | My God is my Wrath/Wrath of God |
Caftsi (קַפְצִי) | Leap, Spring | Elcaftsi/Caftsiel | My God is my Leap/Leap of God |
Casti (קסטי) | Cast, Shield, Cover | Elcasti/Castiel | My God is my Cover/Shield of God |
Dani (דָּנִיֵּ) | Judgement | Eldani/Daniel | My God is my Judge/Judged by God
Judgement of God |
Ead (עד) | Eternity | Elead/Eadel | My God Forever |
Emmanu (עִמָּנוּ) | Presence | Elemmanu/Emmanuel | My God is 'with us/present' |
Ezeki (יְחֶזְקֵ) | Will strengthen | Elezeki/Ezekiel | God will Strengthen |
Gabri (גַּבְרִי) | Male, Man, Masculine, Virile | Elgabri/Gabriel | My God is Masculine/Man of God
My God has shown Himself Mighty My God is Heroic/Hero of God My God is strong/Strong one of God |
Gamali (גַּמְלִי) | Reward | Elgamali/Gamaliel | Reward of God |
Hanni (חני) | Glory | Elhanni/Hanniel | Glory of God |
Iana (יעָנָה) | Answer | Eliana/Ianael | My God Answers/Answered by God |
Iezer (יעֶזֶר) | Help | Eliezer/Iezerel | My God was my Help/Help from God |
Ijah (יהו) | Tetragrammaton, Yahweh, Jehovah | Elijah/Ijahel | My God is 'Jah/Yah' |
Imelech (ימלך) | Monarch, King | Elimelech/Imelechel | My God is my Monarch |
Immanu (עִמָּנוּ) | Presence | Elimmanu/Immanuel | My God is 'with us/present' |
Isha (ישע) | Salvation | Elisha/Ishael | My God is my Salvation/Salvation of God |
Ishah (ישָׁה) | Rescue, to deliver | Elishah/Ishahel | My God is my Rescuer/Deliverance of God |
Ishama (ישמע) | Will Hear, Will Listen | Elishama/Ishamael | My God will Hear |
Isheba (ישֶׁבַע) | Oath | Elisheba/Ishebael | My God is my Oath |
Isheva (ישֶׁבַע) | Oath | Elisheva/Ishevael | My God is my Oath |
Ishma (יִשְׁמָעֵ) | Hearing, Listening | Elishma/Ishmael | Heard by God
Named by God My God Hearkens |
Ishua (אישוע) | Salvation | Elishua/Ishuael | My God is my Salvation/Salvation of God |
Isra (שָׂרָה) | Struggle, Contention | Elisra/Israel | My God has struggled/He who struggles with God
My God strives/He who strives with God |
Izabeth (יזבת) | Oath | Elizabeth/Izabethel | My God is my Oath/Abundance of God |
Jekuthi (ג'קותי) | Support | Eljekuthi/Jekuthiel | My God will support |
Jerahme (יְרַחְמְ) | Pity, Mercy, Compassion | Eljerahme/Jerahmeel | My God pities |
Jezre (יִזְרְעֶ) | Will sow | Eljezre/Jezreel | My God will sow |
Jo (יוֹ) | Tetragrammaton, Yahweh, Jehovah | Eljo/Joel | Jah is God |
Kanah (קָנָה) | Purchase, Possession, Ownership | Elkanah/Kanahel | My God has Possessed/Possessed by God
My God has Purchased/Purchased by God My God has Owned/Owned by God My God has Created/Created by God |
Lemu (לְמוּ) | 'Go to him', Dedication | Ellemu/Lemuel | Dedicated to God |
Mahalal (מַהֲלַלְ) | Shining One | Elmahalal/Mahalalel | The blessed God
The shining light of God The glory of God |
Micha (מיכ) | 'Who is?' | Elmicha/Michael | My God is like who?/Who is like God?
One who is like God |
Misha (מיש) | 'What is?' | Elmisha/Mishael | My God is like what?/Who is what God is? |
Nathana (נְתַנְ) | Gift | Elnathana/Nathanael | Given by God/God has Given, Gift of God |
Nathani (נתני) | Gift | Elnathani/Nathaniel | Given by God/God has Given, Gift of God |
Nemu (נמו) | Day | Elnemu/Nemuel | Day of God |
Nuri (נוּרִי) | Flame, Light, Torch | Elnuri/Nuriel | My God is my fire/Fire of God
My God is my light/Light of God |
Ori (אוֹרִי) | Light | Elori/Oriel | My God is my light/Light of God |
Othni (עָתְנִי) | Hour, Time | Elothni/Othniel | Hour of God |
Yisra (יִשְׂרָ) | To rule, have power, prevail over | Elyisra/Yisrael | My God rules/Prince of God |
Peni (פני) | Face | Elpeni/Peniel | Face of God |
Penu (פְּנוּ) | 'to turn', About-face, Sudden change | Elpenu/Penuel | Face of God |
Phanu (פאנו) | Face | Elphanu/Phanuel | Face of God |
Rapha (רפא) | Healing | Elrapha/Raphael | My God is Healing/Healing one of God |
Reu (רְעוּ) | Friend | Elreu/Reuel | My God is my friend/Friend of God |
Ragu (רְעוּ) | 'to pasture' (like a shepherd) | Elragu/Raguel | My God shall pasture/Pasturer of God |
Samu (שְׁמוּ) | Name | Elsamu/Samuel | Name/Heard of God |
Shealti (שְׁאַלְתִּי) | 'I asked' | Elshealti/Shealtiel | I asked God [for this child] |
Uri (אוּרִי) | Flame, Light, Flare | Eluri/Uriel | My God is my Sun/Sun of God
My God is my Light/Light of God My God is my Fire/Fire of God |
Uzzi (עֻזִּי) | Power, Strength | Eluzzi/Uzziel | Power from God |
Incorrect El theophory
[edit]The name Abel, which appears to refer to El, in fact is not an instance of theophory. Abel can be translated as "breath", "temporary" or "meaninglessness" and is the word translated as "vanity" in Ecclesiastes 1:2 in the King James Version.
The name Jael also appears to refer to El in English, but contains ayin rather than the aleph of El.
The name Eli also appears to refer to El in English, but contains ayin rather than aleph.
The name Rachel also appears to refer to El in English, but contains chet.
Shaddai theophory
[edit]The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to Shaddai and their meanings in Hebrew:
- Zurishaddai – Shaddai is my rock
Yah theophory
[edit]The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to Yah/Yahweh and their meanings in Hebrew:
- Abiah – Yahweh is my father
- Abijah – Yahweh is my father (2 Chron. 13:3)
- Adaiah – ornament of Yahweh
- Adonijah – my lord is Yahweh
- Ahaziah – vision of Yahweh
- Ahiah – brother of Yahweh
- Ahijah – brother of Yahweh
- Amariah – Yahweh says; integrity of Yahweh
- Amaziah – strength of Yahweh
- Ananiah – Protected by Yah
- Athaliah – Yahweh is exalted
- Azariah – Yahweh has helped
- Bathiah – Daughter of Yah
- Bealiah – Yahweh is Lord[2]
- Dodavah(u) – Beloved of Yahweh
- Elijah – My God is Yah
- Hananiah – Yahweh is gracious
- Gedaliah – Yahweh is great
- Hezekiah – Yahweh has strengthened
- Hodaviah/Hodiah – Give thanks to Yahweh, The splendour of Yahweh
- Isaiah – Salvation of Yahweh
- Isshiah – Yahweh exists
- Jeconiah – Yahweh has firmly established
- Jedaiah – Yah knows
- Jedidiah – Beloved of Yah
- Jehiah – Yahweh lives
- Jehoiachin – Yahweh is firmly established
- Jehoiada – Yahweh knows
- Jehoshaphat – Yahweh is judge
- Jehosheba – Yahweh is my oath
- Jehozadak – Righteous is Yahweh
- Jekamiah – Yahweh raises
- Jeremiah – Yah exalts
- Jeshaiah – Salvation of Yahweh
- Joab – Yahweh is father
- Jochebed – Yahweh is glory
- Joel – Yahweh is El/God
- John – Yahweh is gracious
- Jonathan – gift of Yahweh
- Joshua – Yahweh saves/is (my) Saviour/Salvation or Yahweh is lordly (Niqqud dependent)
- Josiah – supported of Yahweh
- Malchijah – Yahweh is king
- Micaiah – Who is like Yahweh
- Matityahu – Gift from Yah
- Neariah – Servant of Yahweh
- Nedabiah – Yahweh impels
- Nehemiah – Yah comforts
- Nethaniah – gift of Yahweh
- Obadiah – Yahweh's servant or worshiper
- Pedaiah – Redemption of Yahweh
- Pelatiah – Yah has delivered
- Pelaiah – Yah has distinguished
- Pelaliah – Yah has judged
- Pekahiah – Yah has observed
- Reaiah – Yahweh has seen
- Rephaiah – Yah has healed
- Seraiah – Servant/prince of Yahweh
- Shecaniah – One intimate with Yahweh
- Shephatiah – Judged of Yahweh
- Toviah – Good of Yahweh or Yahweh is Good
- Uriah – My light is Yahweh
- Uzziah – Yahweh is my strength
- Zebadiah, Zabdi – Gift of Yahweh
- Zedekiah – justice of or righteous is Yahweh
- Zephaniah – Yahweh hides or protects
- Zechariah – Yahweh remembers
Baal theophory
[edit]Ba'al is a generic term meaning master; it can also be translated "Lord". In the Bible, it is frequently a reference to Hadad, although it is sometimes used to refer to other specific deities, including Yahweh (referred to as Ba'al Yahweh), and on other occasions is used to refer to an arbitrary lord of this area.
The following is an alphabetical list of names referring Ba'al, and their meanings in Hebrew:
- Baalah – her lord; she that is governed or subdued; a spouse
- Baalath – a rejoicing; our proud lord
- Baalath-Beer – subjected pit
- Baal-berith – lord of the covenant
- Baale – same as Baalath
- Baal-gad – lord Gad, or lord of Gad, or lord of fortune/felicity
- Baal-hamon – he who rules a crowd
- Baal-hanan – Ba'al is gracious
- Baal-hermon – lord of destruction / of a cursed-thing
- Baali – my lord; lord over me
- Baalim – lords; masters; (later Jewish use: false gods)
- Baalis – a rejoicing/proud lord
- Baal-meon – lord/master of the house
- Baal-Peor – master of Peor; master of the opening
- Baal-perazim – lord of divisions
- Baal-shalisha – the lord that presides over three; the third idol
- Baal-tamar – master of the palm-tree
- Baal-zebub – lord of the fly (satirical corruption of Ba'al-zebul - lord of princes)
- Baal-zephon – the lord/possession of the north/hidden/secret
- Jerub-baal – the lord contends
Bosheth
[edit]In later biblical and Jewish writing, some of the theophories in Ba'al were bowdlerised, with ba'al replaced by bosheth ((the) shameful (thing)):
- Ishbosheth, from Ishba'al, man of ba'al.
- Jerubbeshet, from Jerubbaal "Ba'al contends"
- Mephibosheth, from Mephibaal "from the mouth of Ba'al"
Yam theophory
[edit]Yam is the Canaanite god of the Sea.
- Abiyam – My father is Yam (1 Kgs. 14:31)
Zedek theophory
[edit]Zedek (or Sydyk or Sedek) was the name of a Phoenician deity worshiped in Canaan. In Hebrew, "tzedek" (from the root tz-d-k) means "righteous".
The following is an alphabetical list of names referring Zedek, and their meanings in Hebrew:
- Melchi-zedek – My king is Zedek
- Adoni-zedek – My lord is Zedek
Hadad
[edit]Apart from oblique references to Hadad by means of the word ba'al, some theophory references him directly:
Others
[edit]- Asenappar – Ashur is creator of an heir
- Belshazzar – Bel, protect the king
- Chedorlaomer – Servant of Lagamar
- Nebuchadnezzar – Nabu, preserve my firstborn son
- Sennacherib – Sin has replaced brothers
- Shalmaneser – Shulmanu is the best
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Adbeel" retrieved from "Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon"
- ^ Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "Bealiah" (1915). [1]