[Charles Henrickson]

Since I haven't weighed in one way or the other till now I'll go with 1288.

Thank you! I agree! That's what I've been saying all along: "Barack" is from "bless" not "lightning." I am arguing against the opening post, which contends it means "lightning."

Do you concede that 1289 isn't a root and 1288 is the root from whence 1289 came?

There's nothing to "concede." Strong's 1289 is simply the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew 1288--as Strong's itself indicates:

http://jcsm.org/StudyCenter/kjvstrongs/STRHEB12.htm#S1289

brak
ber-ak'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 'barak' (1288):--bless, kneel.

[philman_36]

Strong's 1289 is simply the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew 1288
Right you are! Now, which word came first?