Matthew Bowen on Paanchi and Giddianhi

The Interpreter Foundation just posted another excellent article on Book of Mormon onomasticon from Matthew L. Bowen:

“Swearing by Their Everlasting Maker”: Some Notes on Paanchi and Giddianhi (PDF)

Here is the abstract:

This brief article explores Paanchi and Giddianhi as names evidencing the Egyptian onomastic element –anchi/anhi/ʿnḫ(i) and the potential literary significance of these two names in the context of Mormon’s narrative detailing the formation of the oath-bound secret combinations sworn with oath-formulae upon one’s “life” (cf. Egyptian ʿnḫ, “life”; “live”; “swear an oath [by one’s life]”). It also explores the implications for Mormon’s telling of Nephite history during his own time.