<p>Are there any common English names (male) that are derived from the Bible, but from “bad guys”, such as a liar, a hypocrite, or a renegade? </p>
<p>(Not Satanic evil, but just not a good guy)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>What an interesting question. Can I ask why? Off the top of my head I can’t think of common names that are negative on the whole, but of course many characters in the Bible had their bad (sometimes evil) moments, starting with Adam and Eve and continuing through David, Peter, Paul, Thomas, etc. Simon Magus, maybe, but there are “good” guys named Simon as well. Delilah? (not real common). Not a lot of Judas’, Cain’s, Pilate’s, Herod’s or Caiphas’ running around these days.</p>
<p>In one of my writing assignments, I want to name a character with a little biblical allusion. He’s not suppose to be out-right evil, and I do not want to portray his that way. But he is no saint either. I am looking for a liar, a hypocrite, or a renegade. What name, when placed in context, would allow a learned person (a professor?) recognize that the name refers to the negative qualities mentioned?</p>
<p>Hope that made sense.</p>
<p>Will the reference work if the character is ultimately redeemed after repenting (a la David, Paul, Zaccheus, et. al.)?</p>
<p>If so, I might suggest looking in Genesis at the story of Jacob (Israel). Jacob certainly had his moments (stealing his brother’s birthright). Most of his 12 sons also had a lot to answer for, but ultimately, they were blessed. The names are fairly well known also: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Napthali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, & Benjamin. (Joseph & Benjamin were mostly innocent.)</p>
<p>If you want a character who lied or was hypocritical, but not redeemed, look through Kings 1 and 2 or Chronicles 1 and 2. Lots of bad kings, but names may be unfamiliar to all but serious OT students.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I am not a Bible scholar (at all). I am probably overthinking this, but just for my own satisfaction… My character is a 17 year old senior in high school. Would that help narrow down the list of Jacob, David, Paul, Peter, Thomas, and Dan?</p>
<p>Lucifer. That was easy.</p>
<p>I’m no Bible scholar either, but you have chosen some pretty main characters. Here’s a thumbnail of each. Caveat: I’m working from memory, so verify after you select the one who best illustrates your point. FWIW, I am Catholic, so my references may reflect an interpretation not shared by all.</p>
<p>Jacob: stole Esau’s birthright, but gained God’s blessing after wrestling w/ angel; played cat & mouse w/ bro-in-law over employment, wives, etc. Father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Part of line that began with Abraham. (Genesis)</p>
<p>David: King who coveted his general’s wife; had gen. killed; married Bathsheba, repented, but his sin cause his son to die at early age. One of God’s most favored. Also part of Abraham’s line. (Kings)</p>
<p>Paul: Name was Saul, a persecutor of Christians until he was struck blind on the road to Damascus. Traveled extensively establishing Christian churches. Suffered terribly, but his faith never waivered. Had a lifelong thorn in his side, which God would not remove. (Acts & Epistles)</p>
<p>Peter: vowed to remain faithful to Christ as he suffered and died, but denied him three times. Repented, and was named by Christ to lead his church on earth when Christ ascended into heaven. First Pope. (Gospels, Acts)</p>
<p>Thomas: doubted Christ’s return until he saw Him, then put his hands in wounds. Chastised by Christ for his faith in only what he could see & touch. (Gospels)</p>
<p>Dan: didn’t have a major role. Was one of the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery, but not as notorious as Reuben, Simeon or Judah. (Genesis)</p>
<p>In addition to tricking his brother out of his birthright, Jacob was deceitful - impersonating his brother (at his mother’s urging) in order to get his father’s blessing (Genesis 27). The name Jacob might bring to mind a liar or schemer, but not necessarily a hypocrite or renegade. I think of Jacob as the youngest character of the names on your short list, at least at the time that he stole his brother’s birthright.</p>
<p>jacob it is then. thanks everyone</p>
<p>How about Jonah? He ran away from doing “the will of God” by taking a boat out to sea. God made a great fish (whale?) swallow Jonah, where he stayed until he promised God he’d what he was told. Character flaw? He was disobedient. Rebellious perhaps. In any case, Jonah is currently a fairly popular name for newborns nowadays. My niece named her son (now two) Jonah. I rather like the sound of it.</p>
<p>Pinchas is perfect if you ask me. This is in old testament. He killed someone because God told him to (according to him) he was put on trial or something another and i dont remember what happened. But pinchas was supposedly also a very imporetant man. Or you can do Moses who was not let into Israel because he did not do everything god told him. Or you got Saul, King Saul who fell from favor of god at the end of his kingship</p>
<p>how about judas?</p>
<p>I had to look up Pinchas, as I had never heard of him. Apparently he goes by a different name in at least my translation of the Bible. He definitely is not widely known. I think Jacob works great for what Bobert wants.</p>
<p>Idk…last time i checked there was only one old testament…</p>
<p>Well, not exactly true. I believe the OT is a bit different for Jews, Catholics, and Protestants. According to what I found online, it appears that Pinchas is otherwise known as Phinehas.</p>
<p>Eli is a name that’s become somewhat popular but has a less than honorable namesake.</p>
<p>Some names with negative connotations from the Old Testament: Britney, Osama, and O.J. Oh, wait, I got those names from CNN.</p>
<p>right, but since the old testament is jewish doesnt that mean that the jewish version is the only legitime old testament</p>
<p>Pinheas may just be an english translation of pinchas like yitzhak is isaac and rebecca is rivka…</p>
<p>Yes, Phinehas is likely an English translation. I haven’t studied the history of the assembling of the OT recently, so I won’t judge what is legitimate and what isn’t.</p>
<p>My main point was that the poster wanted an ENGLISH name that was also used in the Bible and that a professor would be familiar with. Since I have never met anyone named either Pinchas or Phinehas, and it is certainly not as well-known as Jacob, I think Bobert would do better to stick with Jacob, as he said he was planning to do.</p>
<p>the name Jacob means cheater, surplanter.</p>
<p>the Jewish version of what Christians call the OT is called the Tanakh. It contains the same books but rearranged in a different order.</p>