“Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; she said: Because the Lord saw [raa] my affliction; for now my husband will love me” (Genesis 29:32). “Leah conceived and bore a son” – Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina said: Four qualities were stated regarding names: There are those whose names are fair and their actions are fair; some whose names are foul and their actions are foul; some whose names are foul and their actions are fair; and some whose names are foul and their actions are fair.
Their names are fair and their actions are foul – Esau. His name is Esau, but he did not perform [oseh].6He did not perform the will of God. Ishmael is his name, listen,7Ishmael means he will listen to God. but he did not listen. Their names are foul and their actions are fair – these are the members of the exile: “The children of Bakbuk,8This is an earthenware vessel. the children of Ḥakufa,9Ḥok kof – the law of the monkey. the children of Ḥarḥur”10Leḥarḥer means to incite. (Ezra 2:51), but they merited, ascended, and built the Temple.
Their names are foul and their actions are foul – these are the spies: “Setur” (Numbers 13:13) – one who performs actions clandestinely [seturim]; “Gadi” (Numbers 13:11) – deserving of gallows [geradim] and lashes for rebelliousness [umeradin]. Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina said: Their names are fair and their actions are fair – these are the tribes. Reuben – see this son [re’u ven] among the sons. Simeon [Shimon] – listens [shome’a] to the voice of his Father in Heaven.
Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina said: The names of the tribes are not inappropriate for them, but rather, they are appropriate for them.