ZERAHEMNAH

Lehite PN

Dissenter, general in Lamanite army, ca. 74 BC (Alma 43:5; 44:19)

The first part of the name could be related to the first part of Zarahemla. Hebrew ḥmn means altar, but does not occur in the feminine form. Could the name mean “scion/seed of the sacrifice,” from an abstract form of altar?

This is so close to Zarahemla that Hackett suggested it was either a mistake or a confusion in pronunciation. It would be possible to analyze the name in the same way as Zarahemla, but she could find no suitable root hmn or h.mn (JH). Others, however, have made proposals.

Perhaps Hebrew zera`-ham-ma-na-h, “the seed of apportionment/measurement” or similar (JAT). From the same root mnh, “to count, number, reckon, assign”), Smith proposes reading Hebrew zera`-hamena-h, “seed/progeny of the chosen (one),” with the latter element coming from the root mnh, “allot, assign, prepare, appoint, number” (RFS).

Perhaps Hebrew zerah.-mena-h, “appointed/fated rising,” from the roots zrh., “to arise/shine” and mnh, “allot, assign, prepare, appoint, number” (RFS).

Smith further suggests seeing the Elamite, Persian and Sanskrit suggestions given for Himni (q.v.) (RFS).

Cf. Book of Mormon Zarahemla, others with nah suffix.