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The word shalem means complete, so it's actually probably that. And with most biblical names, the meaning (for some, at least) is given in the bible. I'm sure all, or most, at least (ooh... most at least. weird), of Yaakov's kids had reasons behind them, I remember Reuben's and Yosef's, the people we could see born in the bible had reasons, and many of them are easy to guess, but if I think about it some aren't.

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But if you want it for biblical names, even if I could find a book for Hebrew names some wouldn't show up. Not all biblical names are used, and it'd only get you used ones... but it's a start. It's like not all biblical names show up in English books, not because English/American people don't use biblical names, there are just some unused ones. Zimri, for instance, it won't show up in name books, I don't think so. (But I know the meaning for certain- my song, because it's a word.) If you want reliable meanings for biblical names, you could also use a reliable English name book. Also good is this site, because it writes original forms of names.

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ETA: Zimri actually shows up on this site? Ooh, cool.

This message was edited 7/6/2006, 7:07 AM