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Etymology •
& Meaning •
Hebrew •
Greek •
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Meaning and etymology of the name Arpachshad
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Arpachshad 
Arpachshad (also spelled Arphaxad) is a son of Shem, who is a son of Noah (Genesis 10:22).
The meaning of this name is unclear. BDB Theological Dictionary suggests that it is a combination of `rp (not in Hebrew but in cognate languages) meaning extent, border; and  , Chesed, the Hebrew word for Chaldeans. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reports that none less than the great Josephus had a go at the meaning of this name, and also concluded Boundary Of The Chaldeans. NOBS Study Bible Name List remains safely quiet about the possible meaning of this name.
Since safety is relative, the Abarim Publications Editorial Team helpfully notes that is spelled with the Hebrew letter  while is spelled with a  . A close look at the usages of and reveals an undeniable kinship in charge, but by no means an unconditional interchangeability.
The name Arpachshad is difficult to interpret. Since both a-r-p and k-sh-d do not exist in Hebrew, we should look for a possible combination of smaller words:
The Hebrew word  is used once, as a contraction of the word  (the Nile; Amos 8:8), which in turn may be derived from  ('or), light. It may even be a contraction of  ('arar), curse. Or  ('ara), pluck or gather, with derivative  ('ary), lion.
 (pak) means flask or vial, from the root  (pkk), an unused root that probably means trickle.  (puk) denotes a black powder that was used as eye make-up (Jeremiah 4:30, 2 Kings 9:30).
 (ke) means as if, but  never occurs as a particle. For the sake of brevity (Arpachshad is already an unusually long name) the may be a contraction of  (peh), mouth, or (poh), a particle denoting here or hither.
 (shed) is usually translated with demon, or the object of child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 32:17). (shod) means havoc. (shad 2332a) means breast, bosom.
Whatever the name Arpachshad may mean, the meaning is deeply hidden. But perhaps there were those among the audience that were hearing Light Trickles As If He Were A Breast.
Perhaps there were those who heard He Gathers Mascara Like A Demon.
And surely there were some who heard Nile In A Bottle; What A Boob!
Perhaps not...
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