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Meaning and etymology of the name Arpachshad




Arpachshad 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, 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 Chesed is spelled with the Hebrew letter sin while Arpachshad is spelled with a shin. A close look at the usages of sin and shin 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 ar is used once, as a contraction of the word Nile (the Nile; Amos 8:8), which in turn may be derived from or ('or), light. It may even be a contraction of arar ('arar), curse. Or ara ('ara), pluck or gather, with derivative ari ('ary), lion.

pak (pak) means flask or vial, from the root pkk (pkk), an unused root that probably means trickle. puk (puk) denotes a black powder that was used as eye make-up (Jeremiah 4:30, 2 Kings 9:30).

ke (ke) means as if, but p never occurs as a particle. For the sake of brevity (Arpachshad is already an unusually long name) the p may be a contraction of peh (peh), mouth, or peh (poh), a particle denoting here or hither.

shid (shed) is usually translated with demon, or the object of child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 32:17). shid (shod) means havoc. shid (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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