Midrasch zu Bereschit 29:32

R. Jose b. R. Hanina said: There are people [whose names are handsome and whose deeds are ugly;] <There are> those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are handsome; there are those whose names are handsome and whose deeds are handsome; there are those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are ugly.⁴Below, Numb. 4:6; Tanh., Numb. 4:6; Gen. R. 71:3; Numb. R. 16:10. There are those whose names are handsome and whose deeds are ugly: Such is Absalom (whose name means "father of peace"), of whom it is stated (in II Sam. 16:22): AND ABSALOM WENT UNTO HIS FATHER'S CONCUBINES. Those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are handsome: These are the ones who went up <from> exile, of whom it is stated (in Ezra 2:53 = Neh. 7:55): THE CHILDREN OF {BARKOM} [BARKOS],⁵Perhaps the midrash understands the name as designating Bacchus, the Roman god of drinking, or perhaps the name is understood to mean “son of Kos,” Kos being a pagan god. THE CHILDREN OF SISERA (cf. Jud. 4–5), THE CHILDREN OF TEMAH.⁶Understood as coming from the verb MHH, which means “destroy.” Those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are ugly: These are the spies. What is written (in Numb. 13:13)? FROM THE TRIBE OF ASHER, SETHUR (a name which means "disheveled") BEN MICHAEL. Those whose names are handsome and whose deeds are handsome: These are the tribes, of which it is stated (in Exod. 1:1–2): NOW THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL…: REUBEN, SIMEON, LEVI, AND JUDAH.⁷For an explanation of how these names are handsome, see Gen. R. 71:3, according to which Reuben means “See, a son” outstanding among all sons; and Simeon means “He heeds” the voice of his father in heaven. But cf. Gen. 29:32–33, for somewhat different etymologies. On the etymologies of Levi and Judah, see Gen. 29:34–35.

Rabbi Levi said: The Holy One, blessed be He, saw the sorrow of Leah, and He gave her power to conceive, (bringing) consolation to her soul; and she bare a male child, goodly in appearance, and wise; and she said: See ye a son which the Holy One, blessed be He, has given me, as it is said, "And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, Because the Lord hath looked upon my affliction" (Gen. 29:32). Therefore he called his name Reuben.

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