Shem/name

[jimmie]

The following was adopted from an article by: Jeff A. Benner.
The Hebrew word for a “name” is שם (shem, Strong's #8034). The Hebrew word נשמה (neshamah, Strong's #5397) is formed by adding the letters מ (m) and ה (h) to the word שם (shem). This word is used in Genesis 2:7 and means “breath”.
And the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and he blew in his nostrils the breath (נשמה) of life and the man became a living soul.
While the worldly mind simply sees “breath” as the exchange of air within the lungs, the Bible relates an understanding of “breath” in an entirely different way as can be seen in Job 32:8:
The wind within man and the breath (נשמה) of the Almighty teach them.
Our worldly understanding of breath does not easily grasp the concept that a breath can teach. The “breath” of both men and God has the ability to carry thought and emotion from a Biblical view point.
A “name” is a person’s “breath,” his character.
A common mistake when reading the Bible is to make a distinction between a name and a title. For example, “King David”, is often understood as containing the “name” “David” (an identifier) and his “title,” “King”. The Hebrew word דויד (david) literally means; “beloved”, or “one who loves” and is descriptive of David's character. The Hebrew word מלך (melek) literally means “ruler” or “one who rules”, and is also descriptive of David's character. The Hebrews made no such distinction between a name and a title. The phrase “King David” is Biblically understood as “the one who rules is the one who loves”, a very fitting title for the great benevolent king of Israel and the friend of God. Compare this to Melchizedek were king is left untranslated and is part of the name. It means “the one who rules is my righteousness.”
Bible names have meanings that are lost when untranslated into English. The Hebrew word אדם (adam, Strong's #120), means “man” and is also the name of the first man, Adam.
“The LORD God formed the man אדם (adam, Strong's #120) from the dust of the ground”. (Genesis 2.7)
Biblical understanding is enhanced when the connection between the “man” and his origin is established. When we place the meaning of the name back into the text, we can see the connection between the words in the verse.
And the LORD formed the אדם (Adam, Strong's #120) from the dust of אדמה (adamah, Strong's #127 - ground). (Genesis 2.7)
Below are a few other examples of the relationship between an individual's name and his function or role.
And she bore קין (Qayin/Cain, Strong's #7014) and she said I have קנה (Qanah, Strong's #7069 - acquired) a man. (Genesis 4:1)
And she bore a son and called his name שת (Sheyt/Seth, Strong's #8352) because God שית (Shiyt, Strong's #7896 - placed) a seed to replace Abel. (Genesis 4:25)
And he called his name נוח (No’ahh/Noah, Strong's #5146) saying he will נחם (Nahham, Strong's #5162 - comfort) us. (Genesis 5:29)
And to Eber were born two sons, the name of one is פלג (Peleg, Strong's #6389) because in his days the land was פלג (Palag, Strong's #6385- divided). (Genesis 10.25)
Because Bible readers have no understanding of the transliterated names, they convert the meaning and essence of the name into simple “identifiers” and the connections between the name and his or her function or role is lost to them.
If you have ever read John (not the guy with the blue ox) Bunion’s Pilgrim’s Progress you have a sense of how the Bible reads in regards to names of people and places. Everyone’s name was their function. i.e. Christian, Pilgrim, Worldly Wiseman, Obstinate, Evangelist, Slough of Despair, etc.

[alon]

I like this kind of study. There are only a couple of things I disagree with:

"Bible names have meanings that are lost when untranslated into English. "

Actually the reverse is true. When translated into English, we typically loose the true meaning of a Hebrew name. For example, look at how the author says Melech Dovid was translated- King David. The Hebrew meaning given, "the one who rules is the one who loves.” This is lost in it's entirety in the English translation. That is why we use many Hebrew words in our talks as Meshiachim- so we must find the original meaning, not just the English equivalent.

"A common mistake when reading the Bible is to make a distinction between a name and a title."

In Hebrew exegesis, the first rule of Hillel is that the p'shat cannot be destroyed. The Hebrews knew what a king was, and who theirs was. But the also knew the deeper meaning of the name and title. So the common mistake, and one we Meshiachim try to avoid, is to stop at the p'shat, or simple text meaning. Melech Dovid was King David, and a type of Yeshua; which is reflected in his name and title in the original Hebrew.

But a good article. Can you provide a link?

Dan C

[jimmie]

For example, look at how the author says Melech Dovid was translated- King David. The Hebrew meaning given, "the one who rules is the one who loves.

Read more: theloveofgod.proboards.com/post/new/3804#ixzz3yTK5Qlon

David is not a translation. But, yes the transliteration/untranslated "David" does not bring the Hebrew meaning into the English.

Melech Dovid was King David, and a type of Yeshua; which is reflected in his name and title in the original Hebrew.


Read more: theloveofgod.proboards.com/post/new/3804#ixzz3yTLKQEjr

Agreed, and if Melech Dovid was fully translated, it would be better reflected in the English as well.

[alon]

jimmie said: "... if Melech Dovid was fully translated, it would be better reflected in the English as well."

I agree. And I don't mean to too hard on the translators on this point. If they fully translated all the words they'd need to in order for us to understand this depth of meaning, the Bible would be a very thick book, and difficult to read. And many Bibles do have some of these meanings in margin or footnotes. However it is up to us to read those notes and even to study further. If we must read our translations of scripture with discernment, how much moreso the commentary!

And really it should be to us to dig out these meanings. This is where we really learn, and often where inspiration is given! Again, this is why Meshiachim use many Hebrew words in discussions. Fist off, it encourages us to consider all the nuances of meaning in the terms; and then in use it conveys the full meaning without the burdensome explanation. It also causes us to an extent to think more Hebraicly. Words don't tend to be translated directly, one word for one word, because language reflects nuances of thought processes of those speaking them.

But first, we must be made aware that this is an issue- which this article does well. Thanks.

Dan C