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I have wondered about the potential of ‘awen a derivative of ‘wn meaning trouble (Numbers 23:21), sorrow (Hosea 9:4), wickedness (Job 22:15), or idolatry (Isaiah 41:29). For the second portion perhaps the verb (nud) meaning to wander or move to and fro. Specifically the aimless wondering of a fugitive (Genesis 4:12) like the outcast poor. It is used secondarily for a shaking or nodding of the head to show grief (Jeremiah 22:10, Isaiah 51:19), or compassion (Job 2:11, Psalm 69:20). The masculine (nid) meaning moving of the lips would seem to be an especially good fit for the outcast Zoramites as found in Job 16:5 (“But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief”). For the final syllable perhaps the verb (dawa), to be sick or weak would seem to work. Don’t know if you explored any of these.
In addition, many of the BOM names exhibit Biblical typology or are combinations of names of Biblical typology (ie Ogath, “Og” and “Gath” implying a place of giants, with Og being destroyed down to the last person, with Og beheaded [Shiz and friends]). The first part “On” might fit this approach in light of the Zoramites and their Rameumptom worship:
Numbers 16:
1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
Anyway, food for thought.
Thank you for your kind words, Brett! And yes, that should say “Mormon” rather than “Alma.” Great catch! We’ll fix it! 🙂
Very thought-provoking! Thank you very much. Your work in this field is most impressive. One minor point: at the vend of your article on page 220 you mention “Alma’s single mention of Onidah constitutes something far more than a mere literary ornament or a casual narrative detail.“ Don’t you mean Mormon? Isn’t he the person mentioning Onidah here? In any event, thank you very much for your article.
Thank you for the astute catch, Brett! 🙂 We have fixed it.