[Avodah] Chovav and Reuel

[Zev Sero]

According to the view that he had seven names, it's obvious that Reuel
was both his name and his father's.  That much is not a question.  As
for the rest, see Sifsei Chachomim, quoting the Maharshal, who says that
when Rashi brings up the fact that a grandfather can be called a father,
he is trying to explain the Mechilta that Yitro only had two names,
Yitro and Chovav.

This is actually not a Mechilta at all, but a Sifri.  The Mechilta on
Shemot 18:1 says that he had seven names, and explains each of them.
Then comes a "davar acher", with a different explanation for the name
"Yitro".   Interestingly, Rashi quotes the Mechilta's explanation for
"Yeter", the second opinion's explanation for "Yitro", gives his own
(original?) explanation for "Chovav", and doesn't bother explaining the
other four names.   But the Maharshal's "Mechilta" is in fact R Shimon
ben Yochai's opinion in the Sifri on our pasuk in Bamidbar.  The
explanation that a grandfather can be called a father is also in that
Sifri.



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