ZENOCK

Brass Plates PN	1.	Old World prophet (1 Nephi 19:10; Alma 33:15; 34:7; Helaman 8:20; 3 Nephi 10:16)

Etymology

According to Reynolds, s.t. spelled Zenoch in earlier editions. Royal Skousen, ATV2:421-3; 3142-3, prefers the spelling Zenoch.

Possible etymologies are: (1) HEBREW זנוח zanôaḥ, a tribe whose name has something to do with stench. (2) HEBREW זנק znq, “to leap.” (3) HEBREW צנח ṣnḥ, “to descend.” (4) HEBREW צינק ṣînōq, “pillory” (Jer. 29:26) (JH). This latter suggestion was first made by Reynolds & Sjodahl, who noted that “the name may be an allusion to persecution which he may have suffered at the hands of his countrymen” (R&S 1:203).

Smith is willing to accept only Nos. 2 and 4 of the suggestions made by Hackett. To these, he adds: (1) EGYPTIAN znq, snq (causative of cognate Semitic ynq, “suck”) = Coptic sonk, “suck, nurse, suckle.” In the nominal meaning of “nurse,” the word appears as the title of the high priestess of Apis and of Libyan Mareotis. (2) EGYPTIAN znk, snk, is the sun-god as titled in the Book of the Dead (at “night”); priesthood in some of Yeb-Elephantine; “tongue” (RFS). Cf. EGYPTIAN PN anḫ, once a serpent-god (HWN in LID 30).