Hymns, Names, Homonyms, and Puns with ChatGPT

Yesterday, I posted to Medium a fairly long ChatGPT transcript on "Leviathan" — the legendary chaos monster of the Old Testament. Alas, the middle portion of that dialogue wanders a bit.

Let me reprise here the first portion and then append a new portion.

• Yesterday, I began with this prompt and initial sequence:

There is a Chaos Monsters of the Sea in the Old Testament. What is its name?

• Response from ChatGPT:

The Chaos Monster of the sea mentioned in the Old Testament is known as Leviathan. The name Leviathan appears in several books of the Old Testament. In Jewish and Christian tradition, Leviathan is often depicted as a fierce sea monster or dragon, and is sometimes associated with Satan or other evil forces.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

The name 'Leviathan' is transliterated from the Hebrew. Can it be broken down into root words in Hebrew and translated?

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, the Hebrew name Leviathan (לִוְיָתָן) can be broken down into two root words:

    1. לִוְיָה (livyah) which means "twisted, coiled" or "wreathed"

    2. תַן (tan) which means "serpent" or "dragon"

So, taken together, Leviathan could be translated as a "coiled serpent" or "twisted dragon." This name reflects the fearsome and powerful nature of the creature as it is described in the Old Testament.

• Now let us jump to a different follow-up prompt from the one I used yesterday:

ChatGPT, what about the given name, 'Levi'? Does it have a translation into English?

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, the given name 'Levi' has a translation into English. In Hebrew, the name 'Levi' (לֵוִי) means "joining" or "attached", and is derived from the verb "lavah" (לָבָה), which means "to join" or "to attach". In the Bible, Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

ChatGPT, you previously told me that לִוְיָה (livyah) means "twisted, coiled" or "wreathed" whereas the given name 'Levi' means "joined" or "attached." A serpent (coiled or otherwise) is a long sequence of joined or attached body segments.

• Response from ChatGPT:

That's an interesting observation! While the word "Leviathan" is typically associated with the sea monster in the Bible, the etymology of the word could certainly be related to the coiled or twisted nature of a serpent. It's also worth noting that the image of a serpent is often used in religious and mythological contexts to symbolize chaos, temptation, or transformation, which could further connect to the themes associated with the concept of Leviathan.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

A long rope-like structure (such as a backbone or spine) can readily be coiled, twisted, or transformed into a variety of shapes. Consider a long protein chain which can be coiled, twisted, or folded into a molecular shape which is essential to its biological function in living systems.

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, that's correct. In fact, many proteins have a specific three-dimensional structure that is critical to their function, and this structure is often formed through the coiling, twisting, and folding of the protein chain. This process is guided by the interactions between different parts of the protein chain, including the amino acid side chains and the backbone itself. The ability of proteins to fold into specific shapes is essential to their ability to carry out their biological functions.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

Amazing how, in three short steps of visual geometry we go from Levi ("joined or "attached") to Leviathan ("coiled or twisted serpent") to amino acid chains which fold into proteins.

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, it is fascinating to see how concepts and ideas can be connected in unexpected ways, revealing the underlying unity and interconnectedness of the world around us. The ability to make such connections is a hallmark of creative and innovative thinking, which is crucial in many fields of human endeavor.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

A friend of mine is named 'Ethan'. Is that a biblical name?

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, Ethan is a biblical name. In the Hebrew Bible, Ethan is mentioned in the Book of Psalms as a wise man and musician in the court of King David.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

Does the name 'Ethan' come from an ordinary Hebrew dictionary word?

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, the name Ethan comes from the Hebrew word "etan" (אֵיתָן), which means "firm, strong, resolute." The name is also associated with wisdom, as one of the wise men mentioned in the book of 1 Kings is named Ethan the Ezrahite.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

When an amino acid chain folds into a stable structure of a protein, the key segments of the chain become joined or attached by hydrogen bonds, so that a properly folded protein is structurally firm and strong (and "resolute") in maintaining its shape and biological function.

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, that's correct! The hydrogen bonds between the key segments of the amino acid chain provide stability to the protein structure, allowing it to maintain its shape and function properly. This is important for the protein to perform its specific biological function, such as catalyzing chemical reactions, transmitting signals, or providing structural support. The resolute nature of properly folded proteins is essential for the proper functioning of living organisms.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

If you were to give a proper name to an anthropomorphized cartoon character protein, it would be appropriate to name it Levi-Ethan, the Resolute Protein.

• Response from ChatGPT:

That could be a fitting name for a cartoon character protein. The combination of "Levi" and "Ethan" could represent the coiled and folded nature of the protein, as well as its stability and resolute function.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

But when you said aloud the name "Levi-Ethan" it would be a homonym of "Leviathan" (but with stress on different syllables).

• Response from ChatGPT:

That's correct! When spoken aloud, "Levi-Ethan" and "Leviathan" would be homonyms, meaning they have the same pronunciation but different meanings and origins. It's interesting how similar sounding words can have such different connotations and associations.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

Hymns, Names, Homonyms, and Puns?

• Response from ChatGPT:

Yes, hymns, names, homonyms, and puns can all be related in various ways. Hymns often incorporate names of people or places from the Bible, and these names can sometimes be used in puns or wordplay.

Overall, wordplay is a common feature of language and can be found in many different contexts, including hymns, personal names, and everyday conversation.

• Prompt to ChatGPT:

Can you generate a Hymn featuring the names of "Leviathan" and "Levi" plus "Ethan" in connection to the their origin, meanings, and connection to Protein Folding?

• Response from ChatGPT:

Sure, here's an attempt at a hymn:

Verse 1:
Oh, Leviathan, coiled and strong,
A symbol of chaos, feared for so long.
Yet in the folding of amino acid chains,
Your name takes on a new refrain.

Chorus:
Levi-Ethan, the resolute protein,
Joined and attached, a structure so keen.
In the bonds of hydrogen, it stands tall,
Fulfilling its function, never to fall.

Verse 2:
And Levi, a name so firm and true,
A reminder of what our proteins can do.
For in their folding, they become one,
A chain of strength, a battle won.

Chorus:
Levi-Ethan, the resolute protein,
Joined and attached, a structure so keen.
In the bonds of hydrogen, it stands tall,
Fulfilling its function, never to fall.

Verse 3:
So let us marvel at the mysteries we find,
In the coiling and folding of the protein kind.
For in their resolute and steadfast way,
They bring us closer to the light of day.

Chorus:
Levi-Ethan, the resolute protein,
Joined and attached, a structure so keen.
In the bonds of hydrogen, it stands tall,
Fulfilling its function, never to fall.