Jezebel/Isabel
Jezebel/Isabel אִיזֶבֶל ‘Iyzebel, pronounced e·zeh’·vel is a word that combines a couple of ideas. אִי ‘iy, meaning “not” (H336), or אַי ‘ay, meaning “where?” or “which” or “how?” (H335) and זְבֻל zebul, pronounced zev·ül’, meaning “exalted” (H2083). זְבוּל zebuwl can mean a dwelling or habitation (H2073).
The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible states that the name is “best understood as meaning ‘Where is the Prince?'” (אֵיזוֹ בַּעַל ’ēyzō ba’al), a ritual cry from worship ceremonies in honor of Baal during periods of the year when the god was considered to be in the underworld.[1]
Understanding how this word is a combination of two ideas, and being open to the idea of multivalence, Isabel could mean “not exalted,” or “where is the dwelling?” or “where is the Prince?” The idea of the phrase “where is the Prince?” is important given its double use in the Baal Cycle, a ceremony reminding people of this time period of their god’s success over of the powers of death and chaos.
Siron
Given the possibility of Phoenician influence on the Mulekites who first settled the land around Zarahemla, this geographical name may be identical to the biblically attested Phoenician name for Mount Hermon, namely, śiryôn שִׁרְיוֹן (H8303), as Sirion can mean “breastplate,” and was the name these people used for Mount Hermon (Deuteronomy 3:9 and Psalms 29:6).[2]
It is noteworthy that this word is similar to the biblical word siryôn סִרְיֹן (H5630) which in Jeremiah 46:4 and 51:3 is a type of body armor, a brigandine in the KJV, or a type of layered plate mail used to protect the chest. The associated symbol of protecting and guarding the heart from this wicked woman from Siron should not be missed in Alma’s letter to his son.
Notes
[1] Hackett, Jo Ann (2004). Metzger, Bruce M; Coogan, Michael D (eds.). The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. Oxford University Press. pp. 150–151.
[2] See Book of Mormon Onomasticon, Siron. Accessed 7.26.2020