Book of Mormon
Onomasticon Project Launched Online
The Book of Mormon Onomasticon project, which has long been
in the works, has finally been launched online. Although it is still under
development, there is plenty of great information and research available
already on every single name in the Book of Mormon. Many of the entries provide
convenient summaries of the research that has gone into a Book of Mormon name. Some
brief time browsing the entries will quickly make it apparent which names have received
the most attention from scholars and which names need more work. In any event,
it is a great new tool for Book of Mormon study.
Understanding the meaning of a name can shed light on the
meaning of scripture, especially since scriptural names can be metonymic. That
is, names more relevant to the actions or role of a person in a narrative may
be substituted for that actual person’s name. Even in cases where a metonymic
name is not in play, authors aware of the meaning of the name may have used it
in some way to enhance the narrative. Such word plays on proper nouns are common
in ancient Near Eastern literature.
Zoram: From “Servant
of Laban” to “Rock of Nephi”
Consider the name Zoram.
I chose this name because it has received very little attention from scholars. It
was one of the first I looked up in the Book of Mormon Onomasticon (BMO)
because, as the only name in the 1 Nephi narrative that has not been attested
in ancient sources, I was interested in seeing what they had come up with. Hugh
Nibley had suggested it meant something like “refreshing rain,” and William J.
Hamblin has followed suit (from the Hebrew zerem).
The BMO, however, suggests either Ṣûrām,
“their rock,” or the hypothetical construct *Ṣûrʿām,
“rock of the people.” I like this suggestion much better than the “rain” idea
from Nibley and Hamblin because when I think about that meaning in light of the
role Zoram plays in the narrative, it becomes more interesting.
Zoram is first introduced into the narrative simply as the “servant
of Laban” (1 Nephi 4:20, 31, 33). It is not until he taking an oath wherein he
is promised his freedom that his called by his name (1 Nephi 4:35). This might
be significant. I suggest that this is a deliberate literary move made by
Nephi, meant to convey his transition from bondage to freedom. At first he is
known only as someone else’s, “the
servant of Laban,” but after taking an oath which grants him his status as a
free man, he becomes known by his own
name, “Zoram.” In the narrative, it is almost as if he becomes Zoram upon taking the oath, like receiving a new name. If
the name, as the BMO suggests, has the element “rock” in it, then the imagery
of a now strong and mighty person, no longer a slave or servant could be
conveyed by the choice to call him no longer the “servant” but by his name,
Zoram. Since rock imagery can convey the idea of steadfastness, faithfulness,
or reliability, it may be meant to convey his faithful commitment to the oath
he was making. The meaning “their rock” might even be expressive of his
relationship to his oath-givers. While he was granted status as a “free man” it
was on the condition that he join their group, that he “go down into the
wilderness with us” (1 Nephi 4:33). Thus in that sense, he was to become “their
rock,” or their faithful and loyal companion. As Lehi is about to pass away, he
speaks to Zoram and we find out that indeed, Zoram had become a “true friend”
to Nephi, and Lehi is confident that he will be so “forever” (2 Nephi 1:30).
Again, the imagery here is that of a rock – someone who is firm, faithful, and
true forever. Zoram is the “rock of Nephi”, his ever loyal comrade.
Final Thoughts
These are, of course, only my fairly amateur ruminations and
may not be connected to reality at all. But whether or not Ṣûrām/*Ṣûrʿām is really the
underlying Hebrew of Zoram, thinking
about the possible meaning of this name has given me a whole new way of reading
his story in the Book of Mormon in light “rock” imagery that provides insights
on freedom, strength, friendship, and loyalty. Right or wrong, it was worthwhile.
And that is from just one name.
Imagine what else can be gleaned as we seek out possible meanings of other
names in the Book of Mormon. So go check out the Book of Mormon Onomsticon and
see what treasures of hidden knowledge (see D&C 89:19) await you!
