Why the Righteous Are Named Before Their Deeds

"But by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them" (Exodus 6:3). The wicked precede their name. "Nabal was his name" (after his deed is told); "Sheba son of Bichri was his name" (2 Samuel 20:21). But the righteous, their name precedes them, as it is said, "and his name was Elkanah" (1 Samuel 1:1), "and his name was Boaz" (Ruth 2:1), "and his name was Mordecai" (Esther 2:5). They resemble their Creator, of whom Scripture says, "but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them." They raised an objection: But is it not written, "and his name was Laban" (Genesis 24:29)? A paradox. Rabbi Berekhiah says: He was whitened in wickedness [the name Laban means white]. Rabbi Simai says: From where do we derive the resurrection of the dead from the Torah? As it is said, "And I also established My covenant with them to give to them the land of Canaan" (Exodus 6:4). It does not say "to you" but "to them" [the patriarchs, who had died], from here is the resurrection of the dead derived from the Torah.