Rabbi Meir Expounds the Wicked Names of the Kings of Sodom

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 72:4

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"They made war with Bera king of Sodom" (Genesis 14:2). Rabbi Meir used to expound names. Bera, a son of evil. Birsha, a son of a wicked man. Shinav, because he would draw in money. And Shemever, because he would soar up and bring in money. "And the king of Bela," this is Zoar, because its inhabitants were swallowed up.

Themes

Divine JusticeWisdomExempla Rabbis

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