425. Poetic Names

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Job 42:14  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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Job 42:1414And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. (Job 42:14). He called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.
Rosenmuller has the following note on this verse: “A Jewish writer, Solomon Jarchi, correctly remarks that the names of the daughters of Job indicate their beauty, as it is said in the fifteenth verse: ‘And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job.’ The first name, Jemima, means resembling a clear day, (with the brilliancy of its beauty)—fair as the day. So, according to Hesychius, Hăimera, that is, day, was a surname of Diana. The second name, Kezia, means Cassia, one of the most valuable spices of antiquity. The third name, Keren-happuch, means Horn of the Eye-paint, that is, a vessel made of horn, wherein the Oriental women kept the paint which they used for their eyes. Thomas Roe, in his Travels, remarks that the Persians are accustomed to give their women names which mean spices, fragrant ointments, pearls or precious stones, or something otherwise beautiful and delightful” (Morgenland, vol. 3, p. 375).
It is proper to say, however, that the etymology above given is disputed by some authorities. Gesenius derives Jemima from an Arabic word signifying dove. Dr. Alexander, editor of Kitto’s Cyclopedia, defines Kerenhappuch, Horn of adornment, or Horn of beauty. These interpretations, as much as the others given, represent the names as names of beauty.