Last night there was a collective sigh as the Oilers lost to the Hurricances. The score I predicted (3-1) was right — but for the wrong team. Well, it was very disappointing, though Oilers fans can be proud of their team for making it so far. And the Hurricanes played well and perhaps it will be good for hockey to have a market like Carolina win… I guess.
Well, I guess I should do something today… sigh…
I recognize by internet standards this is old news, but I have to ask what sort of name is “Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt“? Talk about a mouthful — they’re giving the name “Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz” a run for the money! (see Isaiah 8:1). Many newspapers reported that the first name of the new daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie means “Messiah,” while others are a bit more nuanced and report that the name means “something like ‘his gift’ or ‘the peaceful one’ and refers to the Messiah.” While these different proposals each have some merit, when it comes right down to it, the etymology and meaning of the name Shiloh remain obscure.
The name Shiloh, written variously in Biblcial Hebrew as ש×?ִלֹה , ש×?ִילֹו, ש×?ִלֹו, is derived from a Hebrew name for a town in the hill country of Ephraim. There are many traditions surrounding the place called Shiloh. It was one of the main northern shrines in ancient Israel and was also associated with the Aaronite priesthood of Phinehas.
The name is masculine in form and — depending on the spelling — may be derived from the root verb shalah (ש×?לה) or shalev(ש×?לו), “have rest, be at ease.” The other two meanings that the newspapers suggest are tied to different interpretations of the use of the word in Genesis 49:10, which is considered by some to be one of the most difficult verses in the book of Genesis. Compare the following translations:
לֹ×?־יָסוּר ש×?ֵבֶט מִיהוּדָה וּמחֹקֵק מִבֵּין רַגְלָיו עַד כִּי־יָבֹ×? ש×?ִילֹה וְלֹו יִקְּהַת עַמִּי×?
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be (KJV).
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and the obedience of the peoples is his (NRSV).
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his (NIV).
The problem with the Masoretic Hebrew text of his verse (as represented by the KJV) is that it is not clear what precisely “when Shiloh comes” is referring to. If it refers to a time when a Judaean ruler controls Shiloh, this would have been under the Judaean Davidic monarchy, though Shiloh plays no significant role at that time or later. The other two translations are based on emendations of the text involving dividing the words differently. The alternative found in the NRSV, “until tribute comes to him,” redivides and repoints the consonants as: יֻבָ×? ש×?Ö·×™ לה , . This connects the word with the Hebrew shay (ש×?×™ ), “gift, tribute.” The third option takes the initial shin as a relative: ש×?Ö¶ לּה , “to whom it belongs” = until the owner of the scepter (i.e., the messiah) comes.
When it comes right down to it, depending on how you understand this passage, it may create some associations between the name Shiloh and a coming Messiah, or it may refer to a gift or somekind, or it may refer to the place Shiloh — but it is unlikely that it refers to all three. The meaning of the name is best taken as “the peaceful one” or the like and doesn’t necessarily have any messianic connotations.
So the moral of the story is, if you are a rich celebrity and want to give your child a foreign name, make sure to do your research! Of course, if they just picked the name because they liked the sound of it, then that’s their perrogative. If they picked the name because of its meaning, then they would likely be disappointed in realizing that it may not mean what they think.
Jim West held a contest of his own today, and guess what? I actually won something. I don’t win things very often, so I am pleased as punch! (OK, what does that mean, “pleased as punch”? How can a liquid be pleased?).
At any rate, I happened to be Jim’s 170,000th visitor at his site, and because of that I get a free book — to be more accurate, I get free “books.” Jim, who will now be known to me as “Jim the Generous” will be posting me the Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls edited by (Oxford, 2000; Buy from Amazon.ca | Buy from Amazon.com). With 450 articles by an international team of scholars, this two volume work offers the most comprehensive critical synthesis of current knowledge about the Dead Sea Scrolls — and their historical, archaeological, linguistic, and religious contexts. Written in non-technical language this reference work provides authoritative answers and information for all readers. This is a pretty expensive set — at least up here in the Canadian hinterlands. All I can say is, “Sweet!”
Thanks, Jim!
The publicity office of a B-grade Hollywood remake of a mediocre film, The Omen, is hyping the fact that today is the sixth day of the sixth month in the year two thousand and six (= 666). And that is all it is: hype. As Ed Cook points out over at Ralph the Sacred River, today’s date is not significant — at least not because of any satanic connections (Contrary to Ed, I tend to think that the real number is 616).
At any rate, the significance of today is not any silly satanic movie-tie-in. Rather, June 6 is significant as it is the anniversary of D-Day. Enough said.
I can’t believe it. I am in shock. Not only did the Oilers lose after having a commanding 3-0 lead tonight (I was envisioning a grand blog post with neat graphics and everything!), they lost their starting goaltender, Dwayne Roloson. And the winning goal… augh! I sure hope Ty Conklin can suck it up and mentally get over the stupid thing he did behind the net tonight, since he will likely be the starting goalie for the rest of the series.
All is not lost… really… the Oilers can still win. Really… 🙁
Well, I’m in Toronto and after visiting two pubs where the one TV was tuned to last night’s basketball game, my friends and I finally found a real Canadian pub that actually had more than one cable feed and had the hockey game on the big screen (as it should be in Canada!).
The game went as I predicted and the Edmonton Oilers are now on their way to the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s been a few years; it’s time that Lord Stanley’s Cup makes its way home back to Edmonton!
Go Oilers Go!
I can’t believe it — I am no longer worthless! (see here and here for previous laments). Or at least my blog is not worthless! For months I have been silently weeping because when I checked how much my blog was worth, it always was a resounding $0.00.
But now, prompted by Loren Rosson, whose blog also is no longer worthless. (Hmmm… it is, however, of significantly less worth than my blog! I wonder if I should associate with him anymore?!) I’m actually worth more than a number of other significant blogs (who will remain nameless, ahem, Jim, lest I be called boastful)
My blog is worth $53,066.76.
How much is your blog worth?
Wow… I’m not sure what I’ll do with all of this money. Perhaps I will redecorate! Shag carpeting anyone?
I guess “the critics” (who exactly are “the critics”?) didn’t care for Ron Howard’s The Da Vinci Code. It premiered at the 59th Cannes Film Festival yesterday (17 May 2006) and was panned by most critics according to Reuters. That makes Ron sad — again according to Reuters.
I enjoyed the book, though I would never say it is a literary masterpiece. I would have figured it would make an entertaining movie. Of course, historically and theologically it is a bunch of bunk… but it’s entertaining bunk nonetheless.
Of course, it will still make tonnes of money considering that most movie-goers don’t really pay much attention to what those “critics” say. And I think many people will see it just so they can see what all the controversy is about.
I will likely see it with my sister who will be in town for the weekend.
Good news for those of us who were weaned on the original Star Wars motion pictures — LucasFilm is releasing DVDs containing the original Star Wars films this fall! No more having to watch Han acting in self defence when Greedo shoots at him; no more CGI Jabba the Hut. Of course, you will have to buy the digitally enhanced versions along with the originals, but such is life.
Read more about the announcement in Wired News (a very funny article).
May the force be with you (now where did I put that wooden dowel I used as a Light Sabre as a kid?)
What can I say… the eight year drought is over.
Tonight the Edmonton Oilers ousted the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. I only caught the third period due to the fact I was coaching my daughter’s first soccer game of the season (and her under 10 girls team also won decisively 7 to 1), but that was enough since all the action happened in the final period.
I’m not sure if the Oilers deserved it considering how they played at times in the series, but what only matters at the end of the day is the final score!
Go Oilers Go!