_Jezebel._--Your correspondent W.G.H. believes this word to be derivable from _Baal_. That the Phoenician word [Hebrew: ba`al] (Lord) makes a component part of many Syrian names is well-known: but I do not think the contracted form [Hebrew: beil], which was used by the Babylonians, is ever found in any Syrian names. If we suppose the name [Hebrew: 'iyzebel] to be derived from [Hebrew: beil] or [Hebrew: ba`al], we must find a meaning for the previous letters. Gesenius derives the name from [Hebrew: 'y], the negative particle, [Hebrew: zbl], and gives it the sense of "innuba", _i.e._ "pure," comparing it, as a female name, with the Christian Agnes. There is but one passage, however, in Scripture which supports this secondary sense of [Hebrew: zbl] properly, "to be round," or, "to make round," and then "to dwell;" from whence [Hebrew: zbwl], "a dwelling or habitation:" also [Hebrew: zbwlwn], "dwellings," the name which Leah gives to her sixth son, because she hopes that thenceforward her husband [Hebrew: yizbleiwiy], "will dwell with me." (Gen. xxx. 20.) Gesenius considers this equivalent with "cohabit;" and from this single passage draws the sense which he assigns to [Hebrew: 'iyzebel] This seems rather far-fetched. I am, however, still inclined to give the sense of "pure, unpolluted," to [Hebrew: 'iyzebel], but on different grounds. [Hebrew: zebel] has another sense, [Greek: kopros], particularly of camels, from the round form; and the word was common, in the later Hebrew, in that sense. Hence the evil spirit is called [Hebrew: ba`al-zbwl], a contemptuous name, instead of [Hebrew: ba`al-zbwb] = [Greek: Beelzeboul] instead of [Greek: Beelzeboub] (Matt. xii. 24.). The negative of this word [Hebrew: 'iyzebel] might, without any great forcing of the literal sense, imply "the undefiled," [Greek: Amiautos]; and this conjecture is supported by comparing 2 Kings, ix. 37. with the same verse in the _Targum_ of Jonathan. They are as follows: (Heb.): [Hebrew: wihayta niblat 'iyzebel krmen `al-pneiy hasreh] In the _Targum_ thus: [Hebrew: wtiheiy nibeiylta' r'iyzebel kzebel mbarar `al 'apeiy taqla':] It is quite clear that the Targumists intended here a strong allusion to the _original_ meaning of Jezebel's name; viz. that she who was named "the undefiled" should become as "defilement." I am not sure whether a disquisition of this kind may be considered irrelevant to your work; but as the idea seems not an improbable one to some whose judgment I value, I venture to send it. E.C.H. * * * * * SOCINIAN BOAST. (Vol. ii., p. 375.). One of your correspondents, referring to the lines lately quoted by Dr. Pusey-- "Tota jacet Babylon; destruxit tecta Lutherus, Calvinus muros, sed fundamenta Socinus." inquires "by what Socinian writer" are these two hexameter verses used ?