Jonas

Lehite PN 1. One of the twelve disciples of Jesus, son of Nephi No. 3 (or possibly Timothy), ca. AD 30 (3 Nephi 19:4)

2. Another of the twelve disciples of Jesus, ca. AD 30 (3 Nephi 19:4)

Brief Etymology: The Lehite PN JONAS is the Greek form of the Hebrew meaning “dove” or “the Lord is a standard, banner; miracle.”

Extended Discussion: The PN JONAS may be the Greek form of the Hebrew Old Testament name Jonah, form the Hebrew noun yônāh, “dove.” Alternatively, JONAS may be from the Hebrew yô (= Yāhû) + nēs, “the Lord is a standard banner; miracle,” or “the Lord has departed, disappeared,” form the Hebrew yô (= Yāhû) + nās, “to go forth, depart.”

. . .

Lachoneus

Lehite PN 1. Chief judge of the Nephites; a just man; prepared for war against the robbers; a great prophet among the Nephites; ca. 6 BC (3 Nephi 1:1; 3:1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 16 [x2], 17, 22, 24, 25; 6:6, 19)

2. Judge, son of Lachoneus No. 1; assassinated while occupying the judgment seat; ca. AD 30 (3 Nephi 6:19 [2x])

Brief Etymology: The Lehite PN LACHONEUS may be based on the ancient Greek word for “Spartan, Laconian.”

Extended Discussion: The Lehite PN LACHONEUS is the masculine form of the hypothetical reek word *lakōnios, “Spartan, Laconian”; compare the attested forms lakōnion (neuter) and lakōnia (feminine). Further, the ch suggests that the k-c stop sound has undergone inter-vocalic spirantization.

The occurrence of names of Greek origin raises questions concerning the character of Greek contacts with the eastern Mediterranean in antiquity. Since the late second millennium BC, Syrians and Phoenicians had trading contacts with the Aegean kingdoms, and in the first millennium BC Greek mercenaries and merchants maintained a significant and ongoing presence in Syro-Palestinian territories. The name LACHONEUS may also indicate the Spartan merchants were among the first Greek traders in the eastern Mediterranean.

Why was the name LACHONEUS not listed among the names of the members of Lehi’s party, all of which were Near Eastern in origin, but does occur in later generations? The name may have been among the inventory of potential personal names brought to the New World by Lehi’s party—along, possibly, with other personal names of Greek origin—but remained unmentioned in Book of Mormon history until several centuries later. Alternatively, it is also possible that this name may have come through cultural contact of Greek speakers with the New World from a later period of time.

. . .

Timothy

Lehite PN One of twelve Nephite disciples, brother of Nephi No. 3 (3 Nephi 19:4)

Brief Etymology: The Lehite PN TIMOTHY may be from the Greek with the meaning “honoring God” or “honored by God.”

Extended Discussion: The PN TIMOTHY refers to a disciple called by the risen Lord in 3 Nephi 19:4. TIMOTHY derives from the Greek timotheos, “honoring God” or “honored by God.”

The occurrence of names of Greek origin suggests the possibility of Greek contacts with the eastern Mediterranean area in antiquity. Since the late second millennium BC, Syrians and Phoenicians had trading contacts with the Aegean kingdoms, and in the first millennium BC Greek mercenaries and merchants maintained a significant and ongoing presence in Syro-Palestinian territories. Alternatively, it is also possible that ethnic Greek mariners made contact with the Nephites following their arrival in the New World and may have passed on their names to them even though these ethnic Greeks had accepted the language and culture of the indigenous peoples.

Another possibility for the origin of TIMOTHY is that it was given by Jesus to this disciple. Yet another possibility is that the name in the English Book of Mormon is a substitute for a Nephite name with the same meaning (“honoring of God”). The name could have been substituted in so that English readers familiar with the New Testament could more easily connect with the text, or perhaps because the Nephite name was long or hard to pronounce.