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Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Almodad


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Almodad Almodad

Almodad is the first son of Joktan and the grandson of Eber. The Joktanites are the last mentioned Shemite generation before the tower of Babel is built. Joktan's brother Peleg becomes the forefather of Abraham.

The name Almodad is explained in various ways:

Jones takes the name from el (`al 90); a particle expressing the negative either as wish or as preference. And from madad (madad 1146) meaning to measure, specifically of lengths and distances. According to Jones, the whole name means Immeasurable, as in Hos 1:10; `The number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered.'
In this sense the name Almodad is related to the name Madai/ Media.

BDB thinks the el part is in fact El (93a), a short form of Elohim, meaning God. And the double d must come from dwd (dod 410a), beloved. Hence BDB reads God Is Loved.
This way the name Almodad is related to the name David.

However, the latter explanation ignores the m-w part and is not very satisfying. NOBSE simply reads The Beloved, which is even less complete.

Perhaps the m-u part comes from ma (me 1149), what? Or mi (mi 1189), who? This way the name also means Who Does God Love? Or: How God Loves! This together with Jones' Immeasurable makes for a very elegant name.



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