AMALEKI: Difference between revisions

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It would be most tempting to relate this name to the biblical Amelik, ʿmlq. Though as pointed out, it would be difficult to explain how a Hebrew-dependent culture  
It would be most tempting to relate this name to the biblical Amelik, ''ʿmlq''. Though as pointed out, it would be difficult to explain how a Hebrew-dependent culture  
would use the name of a hated enemy (JAT), because the name would mean, with gentilic ending, “the Amalekite.” But the possibility cannot be ruled out. (For  
would use the name of a hated enemy (JAT), because the name would mean, with gentilic ending, “the Amalekite.” But the possibility cannot be ruled out. (For  
example, note the name of one of the priests during King David’s reign, Obed-Edom, meaning “servant of Edom” first mentioned in [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_sam/6/10#10 2 Samuel 6:10].)
example, note the name of one of the priests during King David’s reign, Obed-Edom, meaning “servant of Edom” first mentioned in [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_sam/6/10#10 2 Samuel 6:10].)


Years ago, this and other names containing the consonants mlk were connected with the common Semitic root meaning, depending on the language, “king, rule;  
Years ago, this and other names containing the consonants ''mlk'' were connected with the common Semitic root meaning, depending on the language, “king, rule;  
advise, counsel” (AC). The most common meaning in the West Semitic languages, including Hebrew, is “to rule, be king; king.” Though this etymology is tempting, it  
advise, counsel” (AC). The most common meaning in the West Semitic languages, including Hebrew, is “to rule, be king; king.” Though this etymology is tempting, it  
leaves the initial and final vowels unexplained. Possibly the initial vowel could be an affix to form a place name and the final vowel could be the gentilic ending, which  
leaves the initial and final vowels unexplained. Possibly the initial vowel could be an affix to form a place name and the final vowel could be the gentilic ending, which  
would yield the meaning, “the (one from) Malek.”  
would yield the meaning, “the (one from) Malek.”  


Ebla contains the PN name a-ma-lik (MEE 2, pt. 1, 25 v. VIII: 14; and perhaps the same individual, 20 r. X:11), probably to be read “A-malik.” See also the many “malik”  
Ebla contains the PN name ''a-ma-lik'' (MEE 2, pt. 1, 25 v. VIII: 14; and perhaps the same individual, 20 r. X:11), probably to be read “A-malik.” See also the many “malik”  
names in Amorite (CAAA, 152). But the initial vowel remains unexplained. As pointed out, it is probably not a prosthetic vowel because it does not break up a  
names in Amorite (CAAA, 152). But the initial vowel remains unexplained. As pointed out, it is probably not a prosthetic vowel because it does not break up a  
consonant cluster (JH). See, however, UT, 8.40, for Ugaritic examples.  
consonant cluster (JH). See, however, UT, 8.40, for Ugaritic examples.  


Note that the Book of Mormon spellings for Amaleki and Amalekites/Amalikites are consistently spelled with a “k,” while Amalickiah, etc., and Amalickiahite(s) are  
Note that the Book of Mormon spellings for Amaleki and Amalekites/Amalikites are consistently spelled with a ''“k,”'' while Amalickiah, etc., and Amalickiahite(s) are  
consistently written with a “ck” (for all the variant spellings of these names see CT, Appendix III, “Book of Mormon Onomasticon Variants, 1225”). This would tend to  
consistently written with a ''“ck”'' (for all the variant spellings of these names see CT, Appendix III, “Book of Mormon Onomasticon Variants, 1225”). This would tend to  
indicate that these two sets of words are not to be taken from the same root. However, the variants Amlicite/Amlikite muddy the waters.
indicate that these two sets of words are not to be taken from the same root. However, the variants Amlicite/Amlikite muddy the waters.



Revision as of 09:50, 18 March 2011

Lehite PN 1. Scribe, most likely 2nd c. BC (Omni 1:12; Words of Mormon 1:10)
Mulekite PN 2. "Brother" of Ammon, ca. 121 BC (Mosiah 7:6)

It would be most tempting to relate this name to the biblical Amelik, ʿmlq. Though as pointed out, it would be difficult to explain how a Hebrew-dependent culture would use the name of a hated enemy (JAT), because the name would mean, with gentilic ending, “the Amalekite.” But the possibility cannot be ruled out. (For example, note the name of one of the priests during King David’s reign, Obed-Edom, meaning “servant of Edom” first mentioned in 2 Samuel 6:10.)

Years ago, this and other names containing the consonants mlk were connected with the common Semitic root meaning, depending on the language, “king, rule; advise, counsel” (AC). The most common meaning in the West Semitic languages, including Hebrew, is “to rule, be king; king.” Though this etymology is tempting, it leaves the initial and final vowels unexplained. Possibly the initial vowel could be an affix to form a place name and the final vowel could be the gentilic ending, which would yield the meaning, “the (one from) Malek.”

Ebla contains the PN name a-ma-lik (MEE 2, pt. 1, 25 v. VIII: 14; and perhaps the same individual, 20 r. X:11), probably to be read “A-malik.” See also the many “malik” names in Amorite (CAAA, 152). But the initial vowel remains unexplained. As pointed out, it is probably not a prosthetic vowel because it does not break up a consonant cluster (JH). See, however, UT, 8.40, for Ugaritic examples.

Note that the Book of Mormon spellings for Amaleki and Amalekites/Amalikites are consistently spelled with a “k,” while Amalickiah, etc., and Amalickiahite(s) are consistently written with a “ck” (for all the variant spellings of these names see CT, Appendix III, “Book of Mormon Onomasticon Variants, 1225”). This would tend to indicate that these two sets of words are not to be taken from the same root. However, the variants Amlicite/Amlikite muddy the waters.

Notes

JWW suggests that “the Amalekite” may not be quite so unlikely. He posits “two possibilities: first, that Lehi’s desert experience had brought him and his group into sympathy or contact with this group, assuming they were not totally destroyed several centuries earlier, or second, that Amaleki became an acceptable name among the tribe of Ephraim, from which Eshmael descended, inasmuch as the Amalekites appear to have settled, possibly peacefully, as far north as the land of Ephraim where a mountain was named after them.”

Reynolds has made the highly unlikely suggestion that Amaleki and Amalickiah mean “The king of Jehovah” CBM, VII, 107.


Cf. Book of Mormon AMALEKITES, AMALICKIAHITES, AMULEK, AMLICI