Examples of the Cousin Bride's Naming Prerogative

 

Dr. Alice C. Linsley

The Hebrew men who ruled over territories maintained two wives in geographically separate settlements. The wife of the ruler’s youth was usually a half-sister, as was Sarah to Abraham. The ruler’s second wife was usually a patrilineal cousin, as was Keturah to Abraham. The second marriage came much later than the first marriage. 

Biblical examples of the cousin bride naming her firstborn son after her father include Lamech the Younger (Gen. 5) who was named after his maternal grandfather Lamech the Elder (Gen. 4) and Terah’s son Haran, who was named after his maternal grandfather, a ruler of Haran where Terah died (Gen. 11:32).

Nimrod’s firstborn son by his cousin was named Asshur after his maternal grandfather. The repetition of the names Lamech, Asshur, Joktan, and Sheba in the biblical king lists is evidence of the cousin bride’s naming prerogative, a distinctive feature of the Hebrew marriage and ascendancy pattern.

Another example involves the title Korah which refers to a ritually shaved priest. There are at least 4 men in the Bible named Korah. Some "Sons of Korah" wrote several Psalms. Korah, the son of Esau and Oholibamah, probably was the father of Ishara, Amram's cousin wife. Note that she gave the title to her firstborn son. Korah and Moses were half-brothers. 

Related reading: Hebrew Rulers with Two Wives; The Wives' Settlements Mark the Boundaries; The Pattern of Two Wives; Keturah was Abraham's Second Wife; BIBLICAL ANTHROPOLOGY: Hebrew Names and Titles