Misguided Claim About Song of Solomon 5:16
Here is a detailed explanation comparing the root word Ḥ-M-D (ح-م-د) in Arabic and Ḥ-M-D (ח-מ-ד) in Biblical Hebrew, and why the two cannot be equated linguistically or theologically:
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1. Fundamental Differences in Root Words
| Aspect | Arabic (Ḥ-M-D) | Hebrew (Ḥ-M-D) |
|----------------|----------------|----------------|
| Letter Count | 3 letters (triliteral) | 3 letters (triliteral) |
| Primary Meaning | "To praise" (ḥamida) | "To desire/covet" (ḥamad) |
| Connotation | Positive (praise) | Neutral/negative (lust/craving) |
| Example Verse | QS 1:2: "Al-ḥamdu lillāh" (All praise is to God) | Ex 20:17: "Lo tachmod" (Do not covet) |
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2. Linguistic Analysis
A. Arabic (ح-م-د)
- Derived Words:
- Ḥamida (حَمِدَ) = "to praise"
- Maḥmūd (مَحْمُود) = "the praised one"
- Aḥmad (أَحْمَد) = "the most praiseworthy"
- Function: Exclusively used for spiritual/worldly praise.
B. Hebrew (ח-מ-ד)
- Derived Words:
- Ḥamad (חָמַד) = "to desire/covet" (often for forbidden objects)
- Taḥmūd (תַּחְמוּד) = "lust/desire"
- Maḥmad (מַחְמָד) = "object of desire" (Song 5:16)
- Function: Primarily denotes physical desire (e.g., Ex 20:17’s prohibition against coveting).
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3. Why They Cannot Be Equated?
1. Semantic Differences
- Arabic: Ḥ-M-D always relates to praise.
- Hebrew: Ḥ-M-D relates to desire/coveting (often negative).
- Example:
- Arabic: "Al-ḥamd" = praise to God.
- Hebrew: "Lo tachmod" = prohibition against coveting another’s wife.
2. Theological Context
- Islam: "Muhammad" (the praised one) is a sacred name.
- Judaism/Christianity: "Maḥmad" in Song of Solomon 5:16 is not a personal name but a metaphor for a beloved.
3. Phonetic Inconsistencies
- Arabic ح (ḥa’) and Hebrew ח (ḥet) appear similar, but:
- Arabic "ḥamid" (حامد) = "one who praises."
- Hebrew "ḥomed" (חומד) = "one who desires."
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4. Example of Misinterpretation
- Claim: "Muhammad was prophesied in Song of Solomon 5:16 (מַחֲמַדִּים/machamadim)."
- Correction:
1. "Machamadim" is plural ("all that is desirable"), not a proper name.
2. The context is Solomon’s love poetry, not prophecy.
3. The root Ḥ-M-D here means "desire," not "praise."
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5. Name Comparison Table
| Name | Arabic | Meaning | Hebrew Equivalent | Hebrew Meaning |
|------------|--------|---------------|--------------------|----------------|
| Muhammad | مُحَمَّد | "The Praised One" | - | - |
| Ahmad | أَحْمَد | "The Most Praiseworthy" | - | - |
| Machmad | - | - | מַחְמַד | "Object of desire" |
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6. Conclusion
1. The Arabic Ḥ-M-D and Hebrew Ḥ-M-D roots are homographs (similar in writing) but unrelated in meaning.
2. There is no etymological connection between "Muhammad" (Arabic) and "Machmad" (Hebrew).
3. Claims of equivalence usually stem from:
- Misunderstanding Semitic root systems.
- Apologetic attempts to link Islam with Judaism/Christianity.
Important Notes:
- The name "Muhammad" originates purely from pre-Islamic Arab tradition.
- The meaning "the praised one" does not exist in Hebrew usage of Ḥ-M-D.
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List of Names Derived from the Arabic Root Ḥ-M-D (ح-م-د)
Below are names derived from the root Ḥ-M-D in Arabic, along with their meanings and examples of usage in pre-Islamic and early Islamic Arab society:
1. Male Names
| Name | Form | Meaning | Example Usage |
|------------|-----------|--------------------------|---------------|
| Muhammad | مُحَمَّد | "The Praised One" (passive form) | Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Muhammad bin Umayyah (pre-Islamic). |
| Ahmad | أَحْمَد | "The Most Praiseworthy" (superlative) | Quranic title for the Prophet (QS 61:6), common Arab name. |
| Hamid | حَامِد | "One Who Praises" (active form) | Hamid bin Abdullah (Companion of the Prophet). |
| Mahmud | مَحْمُود | "The Praised One" (synonym of Muhammad) | Mahmud al-Khurasani (historical figure). |
| Hammād | حَمَّاد | "One Who Frequently Praises" (intensive form) | Hammād bin Salamah (hadith scholar). |
2. Female Names
| Name | Form | Meaning | Example Usage |
|------------|-----------|--------------------------|---------------|
| Hamida | حَمِيدَة | "Woman Who Praises" | Hamida bint Zayd (a tabi'iyyah). |
| Mahmuda | مَحْمُودَة| "Woman Who Is Praised" | Rare but linguistically valid. |
| Hamdah | حَمْدَة | "Praise" (simple form) | Hamdah bint Al-Mu'ammil (female Companion). |
3. Names Combined with Allah’s Attributes
| Name | Form | Meaning |
|---------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|
| Abdul-Hamid | عَبْدُ الحَمِيد | "Servant of the Praiseworthy" (one of Allah’s names). |
| Abdul-Mahmud | عَبْدُ المَحْمُود| "Servant of the Praised One" (rarely used). |
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Comparison with Hebrew (Root Ḥ-M-D, ח-מ-ד)
- Machmad (מַחְמַד) = "Desirable one" (Song 5:16), not a personal name.
- Chemda (חֶמְדָּה) = "Beloved/desire" (rarely used as a name).
Key Notes:
- These Hebrew names do not influence Arabic names, as they come from different traditions.
- Pre-Islamic Arabs did not borrow names from Hebrew/Babylonian for the Ḥ-M-D root.
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Interesting Facts
1. The name "Ahmad" appears in Arabic Gospel translations as a rendering of "Parakletos" (John 14:16).
2. The name "Muhammad" was used by at least four individuals in Mecca before the Prophet’s birth (Source: Kitab Al-Aghani by Al-Isfahani).
3. Arabic has the most variations of Ḥ-M-D names compared to other Semitic languages.
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God Bless
July 19, 2025
Mantiri AAM
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