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Libri nominum Hebraicorum pars quaedam ex operibus Philonis Judaei collecta

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Work dossier · summary and historical context

Summary

The *Libri nominum Hebraicorum pars quaedam ex operibus Philonis Judaei collecta* is an anonymous Latin compilation of Hebrew name etymologies extracted from the writings of Philo of Alexandria. It survives only in Latin manuscripts, as the original Greek Philonic sources are largely lost or fragmentary, making this work a key witness to lost traditions. The compilation was used by medieval scholars, including Jerome, for biblical onomastic glosses, influencing patristic and scholastic exegesis. Its date is uncertain, likely 4th–5th century for the Latin translation, though the compilation may be later. Attribution to Philo is traditional but not secure. The work does not identify specific Philonic sources for each etymology, and manuscript variants are not collated.

This work is significant as a rare witness to lost Philonic material and as a key source for medieval onomastic traditions. It influenced Jerome's *Liber interpretationis Hebraicorum nominum* and later biblical glosses, shaping patristic and scholastic exegesis. Its etymologies, though sometimes corrupt, provide insight into early Christian reception of Jewish allegorical interpretation.

Historical context

The work likely originated in a Latin-speaking Christian milieu, possibly in North Africa or Italy, during the 4th–5th centuries, when interest in Hebrew etymologies for biblical exegesis was strong. It reflects the practice of excerpting and compiling patristic sources, particularly Philo, whose allegorical interpretations were valued by early Christian scholars. The compilation may have been produced in a monastic or scholastic setting, serving as a reference for biblical commentary. Its transmission is exclusively through Latin manuscripts, with no surviving Greek original, indicating a Western Christian context. The work's reliance on Philo suggests a community familiar with Hellenistic Jewish exegesis, but the Latin adaptation shows Christian reinterpretation, as seen in moralized glosses like Abel as 'mourning'. The date remains uncertain due to lack of direct evidence; the 4th–5th century range is plausible for the translation, but the compilation could be later, perhaps 6th–7th century.

Apparatus · what the pipeline recorded

Annotation and terms

41 commentary units 16 term7 structure6 caution5 scripture5 background2 reception 0 derived notes 16 open questions 7 narrative
What the kinds mean

Pipeline notes

  • coverageNo English translation could be identified: a language model asked twice could not name one, though it could not rule one out either. That is not proof that none exists — translations in dissertations, recent books and other modern languages are easily missed.
  • limitThe English is a machine draft produced passage by passage from the transcribed Coptic; no human has verified it. The commentary is model-written and cites only keys the pipeline could resolve.
  • registerRegister: treatise in Latin; the English keeps the liturgical formulae and the vocatives rather than normalising them.
  • structurePassages: 7 narrative.
  • sourceSource edition: ogl-pl — Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Term index

CopticRenderingCountFirst
no glossary terms recorded
tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:1 · narrativehigh
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LIBRI NOMINUM HEBRAICORUM PARS QUAEDAM EX OPERIBUS PHILONIS JUDAEI COLLECTA. Interpres Latin. A Adam, terra. Abel, nomen est lugentis Abram, pater sublimis. Abraham, pater electus soni. Abiud, patae meus. AElim, portae interpretamur. AEthopia humilitas. Agar, inquilinus. Amalec, populus elingens. Anna, gratia. Aaron, montanus. Arphaxat, qui exponitur, conturbavit aerumnam. Aunan, interpretatur oculi. Amorrhaei, loquentes. B Babylon, confusio. Babylon, transpositio· Balac, amens. Bathuel, filia Dei. Balaam, vanus populus. Balla, deglutio. Benjamin, filius dierum. Beseleel, in umbra Uei. Beelphegor, superius os cutis. C Cades, sanctus. Cain, possessio. Chaldim, interpretatur aequabilitas. Chaleb, totum cor. Cham, interpretatur calor. Chamos, quasi palpatio. Chanaan, commotio. Charran, fossa, vel specus. Cherubim, multa scientia. D Damascus, sacci sanguis. Dan, judicium. Debon, judicatio. Dina, judicium. Dothaim, derelictio sufficiens. Dothain, defectio non parva. E Edem. deliciae. Edom, terrenus· Eliezer, Deus adjutor meus. Eliphas, Deus me dispersit. Emor, asinus. Enoch, gratia tua, Enoch, gratiosus. Enos, spes. Enos, a (??) Latinis homo nominatus. Ephraim, fertilitas memoriae. Ephraim, fertilitas interpretatur. Ephron, pulvis. Esau, qui modo factura, modo quercus interpretatur. Eschol, ab igne ducens nomen. Esebon, interpretatur cogitationes. Eva, vita. Evilat, parturiens.
English
A Part of the Books of Hebrew Names Collected from the Works of Philo Judaeus. The Latin Translator. A Adam, earth. Abel, is the name of one mourning. Abram, sublime father. Abraham, father of chosen sound. Abiud, my father. Ælim, we interpret as gates. Ethiopia, humility. Agar, sojourner. Amalek, a people licking. Anna, grace. Aaron, mountainous. Arphaxad, who is explained, he disturbed a hardship. Aunan, is interpreted as eyes. Amorites, speaking. B Babylon, confusion. Babylon, transposition. Balak, senseless. Bathuel, daughter of God. Balaam, vain people. Balla, I swallow. Benjamin, son of days. Bezaleel, in the shadow of God. Beelphegor, upper mouth of skin. C Cades, holy. Cain, possession. Chaldim, is interpreted as evenness. Caleb, whole heart. Ham, is interpreted as heat. Chamos, as if a groping. Canaan, commotion. Charran, ditch, or cave. Cherubim, much knowledge. D Damascus, sack of blood. Dan, judgment. Debon, judging. Dinah, judgment. Dothaim, sufficient abandonment. Dothain, not a small defect. E Eden, delights. Edom, earthly. Eliezer, God is my helper. Eliphas, God has scattered me. Emor, donkey. Enoch, your grace. Enoch, gracious. Enos, hope. Enos, called man by the Latins. Ephraim, fertility of memory. Ephraim, is interpreted as fertility. Ephron, dust. Esau, who is interpreted sometimes as making, sometimes as oak. Eshcol, deriving its name from fire. Heshbon, is interpreted as thoughts. Eve, life. Evilat, giving birth.
tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:2 · narrativehigh
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G Galaad, migratio testimonii. Gedeon, interpretatur praedonum receptaculum. Geon, pectus, aut cornupeta. I Jacob, qui impetit calcibus, supplantator. Israel, Deum videns. Japheth, latitudo. Jordanes, descensus exponitur. Joseph, Domini appositio. Joseph, exponitur adjectio. Jothor, superfluus interpretatur. Ir, coriaceus interpretatur. Isaac, risus, et laetitia. Ismael, auditus Dei. Issachar, merces. Judas, qui interpretatur Domino confessio. Josua, salus Domini L Laban, candidus. Lia, fatigatio, renuens et laborans. Lot, interpretatur declinatio. M Median, ex Judicio vocatur. Mambre, a visione denominatur. Manasses ex oblivione. Meleha. regina. Melchisedec, quoque regem pacis, hoc esi Salem (sic enim interpretatur). Moab, ex patre. Moses, ex aqua assumptus. Mos, AEgyptiorum lingua aqua dicitur. Moses enim translatus nominatur sumptio: quin etiam contrectatio dici potest. Nadab, voluntarius interpretatur. Nachor, idem est quod luminis requies. Naid, commotio. Nebrod, transfugium. Nephthalim, aperit et dilatat. Noe interpretatur requies, aut justus. Noe, qui interpretatur solidus. Osee, interpretatur qualis iste. Or, lux. P Pharao, dissipator. Physon, interpretatur oris mutatio. Phua, rubor interpretatur. Pitho, sermonem persuasibilem. Psontomphanech, in responso os judicans. R Rachel, visio profanationis. Raquel, pastoritia Dei ars.
English
G Galaad, migration of testimony. Gedeon, is interpreted as a den of robbers. Geon, breast, or a horned animal. J Jacob, who strikes with the heels, a supplanter. Israel, seeing God. Japheth, breadth. Jordanes, is explained as descent. Joseph, the Lord's addition. Joseph, is explained as addition. Jothor, is interpreted as superfluous. Ir, is interpreted as leathery. Isaac, laughter, and joy. Ismael, hearing of God. Issachar, reward. Judas, who is interpreted as confession to the Lord. Josua, salvation of the Lord. L Laban, white. Lia, weariness, refusing and laboring. Lot, is interpreted as turning aside. M Median, is called from judgment. Mambre, is named from a vision. Manasses, from oblivion. Meleha, queen. Melchisedec, also king of peace, that is Salem (for thus it is interpreted). Moab, from father. Moses, taken from water. Mos, in the Egyptian language is called water. For Moses is named as a taking up: indeed, it can also be called a handling. Nadab, is interpreted as willing. Nachor, is the same as rest of light. Naid, commotion. Nebrod, flight. Nephthalim, opens and expands. Noe, is interpreted as rest, or just. Noe, who is interpreted as solid. Osee, is interpreted as what is this. Or, light. P Pharao, scatterer. Physon, is interpreted as change of mouth. Phua, is interpreted as redness. Pitho, persuasive speech. Psontomphanech, judging the mouth in response. R Rachel, vision of profanation. Raquel, the art of shepherding of God.
tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:3 · narrativemedium
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Ramese, interpretatur quassatio tineae, vel efferans mentem. Rebecca, patientia. Ruben, videns filius. Ruma, videns aliquid. S Samuel, interpretatur ordinatus Deo. Sara, principatus metis. Sarra, princeps. Sepphora, avicula. Sychem, humerus. Syria, interpretatur sublimis. Sicima, quae vox interpretatur succolatio. Settin, sentes. Sur, munitio, vel directio. Symeon, exauditio. Sennaar, excussio. T Thamar, interpretatur palma. Thamna, defectus fluctuans. Tharra, interpretatur odoris exploratio. Z Zabulon, natura nocturna nominatur. Zelpha, oris iter. Philo. A, p. 57., p. 509.. 1,, p. 292. (??),. 414., p. 477., p. 53. 2,, 'p. 427., p. et 432.,, p. et 602., p. 259. -, p. 10Yi., p. 413., p. 104. B, p. 320.. p. 293. 7,, p. 329., p. 157.., (??), p. 428.. p., p. 596., p. 1061. K, p. 479., p. 161., p. 494., p. 1064., p. 280., p. 104., ibid·, p. 571., p. 668., p. 488.. p. 201., p. 104., p. 423., p, 160., p. 468. E E, p. 110., p. et 318., p. 489. 2,, p. 432.., p, 423., p. 338., p. 352,, p, 180.. p. 3., p. 278., p. et 429., p. 331., p. 433., p. 413., p. 103., p. et alibi., p. 54., p. 64. -, p. 339,, p. 52. I, p. 1057. 1,. Ib. et p. 480., p. 282. ’, p. 1101., p. 530., p. 1058., p. et 1060., p., p. et alibi,, p. 1063., p. et 1076., p. 233., ibid., p. 1063., p. 456., p. et 1084., p. 410. M M, p. 1601. M -, p. 413., p. 278., p. 430. - -, p. 75. M. M -. a -, p. 605. M -, p. 1064. N, p. 414.
English
Rameses is interpreted as a shaking of the moth, or a mind that grows wild. Rebecca, patience. Reuben, seeing a son. Ruma, seeing something. S Samuel is interpreted as appointed by God. Sarah, principality of the measure. Sarra, prince. Zipporah, a little bird. Shechem, shoulder. Syria is interpreted as lofty. Sicima, which word is interpreted as a shaking. Shittim, thorns. Sur, fortification, or direction. Simeon, hearing. Shinar, a shaking. T Tamar is interpreted as a palm tree. Timnah, a wavering defect. Terah is interpreted as an exploration of scent. Z Zebulun is named nocturnal nature. Zilpah, the path of the mouth. Philo.
tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:4 · narrativemedium
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-, p. 430., p. 110., p, 295. - 1113.;, p. 75., p. 477., p.., p. 172. -, p. 54., p. 498., p. 577. -, p. 1059. P, p. 428.,, p. 1061., p. 577. ', p. 160. ', p. 1060.. 450., p. et 294. 5,, p. et 1058., p. et 1058., p. 498., p. 1074., p. 64., p. 65.., p. 578.,,, p. 479., p, 1060., p. 330., p. 313., p. 432., p. 572. Z -, p. 1113., p. 428. Hieronymus. A Adam, homo, sive terrenus, aut indigena, vel terra rubra. Abel, luctus, vel vapor, vel miserabilis. Abram, paler excelsus. Abraham, paler videns populum. Abiu, paler meus est, sive pater meus iste. Abiud, patris robur, sive pater eorum. AElam, ante fores, sive vestibulum. AEthiopiam, tenebras, vel caliginem. Agar, advena, vel conversa. Amalec, populus lambens, vel lingens. In Genesi. Amalec, populus bruchus, sive populus lingens. In Exodo. Anna, gratia ejus. Aaron, mons fortitudinis, sive mons fortis. In Exodo. Mons eorum. In Luca. Arphaxad, sanans depopulationem. Aunan, moeror eorum, vel labores. Amorrhaeum, amarum, vel loqueutem. B Babylon, confusio. Babylon, confugio. Balac, lingens, vel elidens, aut involvens. Bathuel, virgo Dei. Balaam, vanus populas, sive praecipitans eos, vel sine populo. Balla, inveterata. Benjamin, filius dexterae. Beseleel, in umbra Dei. Balfeor, habeas us pelliceum. C Cades, sancta, sive mutata. Cain, possessio, vel lamentatio. Chaldaei, quasi daemonia, vel quasi ubera, aut feroces.
English
Adam, man, or earthly, or native, or red earth. Abel, mourning, or vapor, or wretched. Abram, exalted father. Abraham, father seeing the people. Abiu, my father is, or this is my father. Abiud, strength of the father, or their father. Ælam, before the doors, or vestibule. Æthiopiam, darkness, or gloom. Agar, stranger, or convert. Amalec, licking people, or licking people. In Genesis. Amalec, locust people, or licking people. In Exodus. Anna, her grace. Aaron, mountain of strength, or strong mountain. In Exodus. Their mountain. In Luke. Arphaxad, healing the depopulation. Aunan, their grief, or labors. Amorrhæum, bitter, or speaking. B Babylon, confusion. Babylon, refuge. Balac, licking, or dashing, or enveloping. Bathuel, virgin of God. Balaam, vain people, or precipitating them, or without people. Balla, aged. Benjamin, son of the right hand. Beseleel, in the shadow of God. Balfeor, having a skin garment. C Cades, holy, or changed. Cain, possession, or lamentation. Chaldæi, like demons, or like breasts, or fierce.
tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:5 · narrativehigh
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Chaleb, quasi cor, aut omne cor. sive canis. Cham, calidus. Chamos. congregatio, sive quasi attrectanti, vel palpanti. Chanaan,, hoc est motus eorum, vel negotiator, aut humilis. Charran, foramina, sive ira, vel fodiens eos. Cherubim, scientiae multitudo, aut scientia ct intellectus· D Damascus, sanguinis potus, sive sanguinis osculum, vel sanguis sacci. Dan, judicium, aut judicans. Dibon, sufficiens ad intelligendum, vel abundanter intelligens. Dina, judicium istud. Dothaim, pabulum, vel viride eorum, aut sufficientem defectionem. E Eden, voluptas, sive deliciae, vel ornatus. Edom, rufus, sive terrenus. Eliezer, Dei auxilium. Eliphas, Dei mei aurum. Emor, asinus. Enoch, dedicatio. Enos, homo, sive desperatus, vel violentus. Ephraim, frugiferum sive crescentem. Ephron, pulvis moeroris, vel pulvis inutilis, sive pulvis eorum. Esau, factura, sive roboreus, vel acervus lapidum, seu vanus, aut frustra. Eschol, botrus, sive ignis omnis. Esebon, cogitatio, sive cingulum moeroris. Eva, calamitas, aut vae, vel vita. Evila, dolens, vel parturiens. G Galaad, acervus testimonii, sive transmigratio testimonii. Gedeon. circumiens, sive tentatio iniquitatis eorum. Geon, pectus, sive praeruptum. I Jacob, supplantator. Israel, princeps Dei, vel rectus Dei. Japhet, latitudo. Jordanis, descensio eorum. Joseph, augmentum. Joseph, apposuit, sive apponens. In Matthaeo. Jethran, superfluus eorum.
English
Caleb, as if heart, or every heart, or dog. Cham, hot. Chamos, congregation, or as if touching, or groping. Canaan, that is, their movement, or merchant, or lowly. Charran, holes, or anger, or digging them. Cherubim, multitude of knowledges, or knowledge and understanding. D Damascus, drink of blood, or kiss of blood, or blood of sack. Dan, judgment, or judging. Dibon, sufficient for understanding, or abundantly understanding. Dinah, that judgment. Dothaim, fodder, or their greenness, or sufficient defection. E Eden, pleasure, or delights, or ornament. Edom, red, or earthly. Eliezer, help of God. Eliphaz, gold of my God. Emor, donkey. Enoch, dedication. Enos, man, or desperate, or violent. Ephraim, fruitful or growing. Ephron, dust of sorrow, or useless dust, or their dust. Esau, making, or strong, or heap of stones, or vain, or in vain. Eshcol, cluster, or every fire. Heshbon, thought, or girdle of sorrow. Eve, calamity, or woe, or life. Havilah, grieving, or giving birth. G Gilead, heap of testimony, or migration of testimony. Gideon, going around, or trial of their iniquity. Geon, breast, or steep. J Jacob, supplanter. Israel, prince of God, or straight of God. Japheth, breadth. Jordan, their descent. Joseph, increase. Joseph, he added, or adding. In Matthew. Jethran, their superfluous.
tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:6 · narrativehigh
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Er, vigilia, sive pellicias, aut surrectio, vel effusio. Isaac, risus, vel gaudium. Ismael, auditio Dei. Issachar, esi merces. juda, laudatio, vel confessio. Jesu, salvator. L Laban, candidus. Lia, laboriosa. Lot, vinctus, sive declinatio. M Median, de judicio, sive de causa. Mamre, de visione, sive perspicuam. Manasse, oblitus, sive necessitas. Melcha, regina ejus. Melchisedec, rex justus Moab, de patre. Moses, attrectans, vel palpans aut sumptus ex aqua, sive assumptio. Nadab, spontaneus. Nachor, requies luminis, vel requiescente luco, vel obsecratio novissima. Naid, motus, vel fluctuatio. Nemrod, tyrannus, vel profugus, aut transgressor. Nephthali, conservavit me, vel dilatavit me, vel certe implicuit me. Noe, requies. Osec salvator. Or, lumen. P Pharao, dissipans, sive disconperuit eum. Physon, os pupillae, sive oris mutatio. Phua, hic adverbium loci, sive apparebo, sed melius, rubrum. Phithom, os abyssi, vel subito. Somthonphanech, salvator mandi. R Rachel, ovis, aut visio sceleris, vel videns principium, sive videns Deum. Raguel, pastor Dei, vel pabulum ejus Deus. Ramesse, pabulum, vel tinea, sive malitia de tinea. Rebecca, multa patientia vel multum accepit, sive patientia. Ruben, videns filius, vel videns in medio. Remma, videns aliquid, vel excelsa. S Samuel, nomen ejus Deus. Sarai, princeps mea. Sara, princeps. Sephora, avis ejus, sive pulchritudo ejus, sive placens.
English
Er, watch, or of skins, or rising up, or outpouring. Isaac, laughter, or joy. Ismael, hearing of God. Issachar, there is a reward. Judah, praise, or confession. Jesus, savior. L Laban, white. Leah, laborious. Lot, bound, or declination. M Median, from judgment, or from cause. Mamre, from vision, or clear. Manasseh, forgotten, or necessity. Melcha, his queen. Melchisedec, just king. Moab, from father. Moses, handling, or feeling, or taken from water, or assumption. Nadab, spontaneous. Nachor, rest of light, or resting grove, or last entreaty. Naid, motion, or fluctuation. Nimrod, tyrant, or fugitive, or transgressor. Naphtali, he preserved me, or he enlarged me, or he entangled me. Noah, rest. Hosea, savior. Or, light. P Pharaoh, scattering, or he uncovered him. Pishon, mouth of the pupil, or change of mouth. Puah, here an adverb of place, or I will appear, but better, red. Pithom, mouth of the abyss, or suddenly. Somthonphanech, savior of the world. R Rachel, sheep, or vision of crime, or seeing the beginning, or seeing God. Raguel, shepherd of God, or his pasture is God. Ramesses, pasture, or moth, or malice of moth. Rebecca, much patience, or she received much, or patience. Reuben, seeing a son, or seeing in the middle. Remma, seeing something, or high. S Samuel, his name is God. Sarai, my princess. Sarah, princess. Zipporah, his bird, or his beauty, or pleasing.
tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:7 · narrativehigh
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Sychem, humeri, vel labor. Syria, sublimis, sive humecta. Sichimorum, humeri, Settim, spinae. Sur, murus, vel directus, aut continens. Symeon. exauditio, vel nomen habitaculi. Sennaar, excussio dentium, sive fetor eorum.(??) T Thamar, palma, sive amaritudo, vel commutans. Thamna, vetans, vel deficiens. Tharo, exploratores odoris, sive exploratio ascensionis, vel pastio. Z Zabulon, habitaculum eorum, vel jusjurandum ejus, aut habitaculum fortitudinis, vel fluxus noctis. Zelpha, ambulans os, vel fluens os: ab ore, non ab osse.
English
Sychem, shoulders, or labor. Syria, lofty, or moist. Sichimorum, shoulders. Settim, thorns. Sur, wall, or straight, or containing. Symeon, hearing, or name of a dwelling. Sennaar, shaking of teeth, or their stench. T Thamar, palm, or bitterness, or changing. Thamna, forbidding, or failing. Tharo, explorers of scent, or exploration of ascent, or pasturage. Z Zabulon, their dwelling, or his oath, or dwelling of strength, or flow of night. Zelpha, walking mouth, or flowing mouth: from mouth, not from bone.
Citation. Tergwame, “Libri nominum Hebraicorum pars quaedam ex operibus Philonis Judaei collecta”, tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1:1, machine-draft, 2026. https://naxiai.com/christian/works/tmp444.tmp444.opp-lat1#s1
Colophon. Source: ogl-pl · licence: Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License · model: deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor · provider: Relace · cost: $0.0045 · generated 2026-11-15.