The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville - Pot-pourri

164 VII.vi.44–vi.70 Isidore of Seville
people of God. 44. Jannes, “the mariner,” or “where is
the sign,” for his sign ceased and failed before the signs of
Moses, whence the magicians said (Exodus 8:19), “This
is the finger of God.” 45. Mambres (i.e. Jambres), “the
sea made of skins” or “the sea in the head.” 46. Then,
Moses means “taken from the water.” The daughter of
Pharaoh found him exposed at the bank of the river,
and picking him up she adopted him for herself, and she
called his name ‘Moses’ because she took him from the
water.
47.Aaron means “mountain of strength,” because taking
his censor he stood in the way between the survivors
and those who had been killed, and as a kind of mountain
of strength he prevented the destruction of death (Numbers
16:46–48). 48. Eleazar, “the help of God.” Balak,
“the one falling headlong” or “the devouring one.” Balaam,
“the idle people.” 49. Phinehas, “one who spares
the mouth,” for with a dagger he pierced Zimri along
with his Madianite harlot, and appeased the fury of the
Lord, so that he might be sparing (Numbers 25:6–15).
50.This Zimri is “the provoker” or “the one who causes
bitterness,” and his name is appropriately figured by bitterness,
because by sinning he embittered the people. 51.
Rahab, “breadth” or “hunger” or “onslaught.”
Joshua means “savior,” for he, adumbrating Christ,
saved the people from the wilderness and led them into
the promised land. 52.Caleb, as it were “heart” or “dog.”
Othniel, “his time, God” or “the answer of God.” Ehud,
“glorious.”Barak, “one who sends lightning.” 53.Deborah,
“bee” or “the talkative one.” “Bee,” because she was
most quick to act, as she was struggling against Sisera, at
whose slaying she sang her song – hence “the talkative
one.” Jael, “ascension.” 54.Gideon, “proof of their iniquity,”
for he was informed, with repeated instances, by
what kind of forewarning he might achieve a future victory
over his enemies; from this proof of what would
happen he got the etymology of his name.
Abimelech, “my father the king.” 55. Tola, “little
worm” or“scarlet cloth.” Jair, “one who sheds light.”
Jephthah, “the opener” or “the one opened.” Ezbon,
“thought” or “fetters of grief.” Abdon “his slave.” 56.
Samson, “their sun” or “the strength of the sun,” for he
was famous for his strength and liberated Israel from
its enemies. Dalilah, “poor girl” or “bucket.” Boaz, “in
strength” [or] “in whom is toughness.” 57.Naomi, which
we can interpret as “she who is consoled,” because when
her husband and children had died in a foreign country
she clung to her Moabite daughter-in-law as a consolation
for herself. 58.Ruth means “hastening,” for she was
an alien from a non-Israelite people, who hastened, her
homeland abandoned, to cross into the land of Israel,
saying to her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:16), “Whithersoever
thou shalt go, I will go.” 59.Hannahisinterpretedas
“his grace” because, while first she was sterile by nature,
afterwards by the grace of God she became fertile.
Eli, “my God.” 60.Hophni, “unshod,” for this son of
Eli was chosen for the ministry of priesthood, and he
represented his loss of the priesthood by his own name,
for the Apostle says (Ephesians 6:15), “Your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” 61.Andthe
Prophet (cf. Isaiah 52:7), “How beautiful are the feet that
bringeth tidings of peace!” Therefore the name means
“unshod,” in order that by his name might be signified
the removal of the priesthood of the Old Testament from
the ancient nation. 62.Phinehas, the brother of Hophni,
means “mute mouth,” in which is signified the silence
of the old priesthood and doctrine.
Samuel, “his name God.” Jesse, “sacrifice of the
island” or “incense.” 63.Saul [means] “petition,” for it is
well known how the Hebrew people petitioned for him as
akingforthemselves, and received him not according to
God, but according to their own will. 64.David,“strong
in his hand,” in that he was very strong in battles. And the
name means “desirable,” namely in his progeny, about
which the Prophet made his prediction (Haggai 2:8),
“And the desired of all nations shall come.” 65.Solomon
is said to have three names. His first name is Solomon,
that is, “peacemaking,” because there was peace in his
reign. His second name was Jedidiah, because he was
esteemed and beloved of the Lord. His third name was
Coheleth, which in Greek is called ‘Ecclesiastes,’ in Latin
‘the Preacher,’ because he would speak to the people.
66. Jonathan, “gift of a dove.” 67. Absalom, “peace
of the father” by antiphrasis, because he waged war
against his father, or because in that war David is
read to have been brought to peace with his son, so
much that he lamented his death with huge grief. 68.
Rehoboam, “breadth of the people,” and that signification
by antiphrasis, because when the ten tribes were
separated from him, only two remained for him. 69.
Abijam, “father Lord” or “he was father.” Asa, “one
who lifts” or “one who raises up.” Jehoshaphat, “judgment
of the Lord.” Jehoram, “he who is lofty.” Ahaziah,
“he who grasps the Lord.” 70. Athaliah, “time of the