Zeezrom as a metanym

There is evidence that Mormon intentionally inserted wordplay into names in the Book of Mormon.  So much evidence, in fact, that some scholars openly wonder if his use of this particular literary technique is significantly underrated.

Take the name "Zeezrom" as an example.  If we compare the structure of this name to "Zenephi" mentioned in Moroni 9:16, we end up wondering what an "ezrom" is.  It turns out Mormon goes out of his way to tell us what an ezrom is in the verses right after we meet Zeezrom:

12 And an ezrom of silver was as great as four senums. (Alma 11)

An ezrom is a measure of silver.  It is worth noting that Zeezrom is introduced into the narrative (see Alma 10:31) just three verses before this explanation of the Nephite monetary system begins. We learn that Zeezrom was a chief accuser of Alma and Amulek and an expert in the law.

Mormon comments in the very next verse about the object of the lawyers:

32 Now the object of these lawyers was to get gain; and they got gain according to their employ. (Alma 10)

We then get a 20 verse aside that explains that judges were paid according to the time they spent adjudicating disputes, as did the lawyers, and then a detailed explanation of the monetary system.  An "ezrom" is one of about a dozen names introduced in the aside.

The narrative starts up again with a repetition of the detail we got right before the aside (in other words, this is a great example of repetitive resumption):

20 Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain... (Alma 11)

Perhaps all of this could just be a coincidence, but what comes next convinces me the name Zeezrom is intended to teach us a deeper meaning.  This expert lawyer and chief accuser of Alma and Amulek gets into a verbal exchange with the missionaries and proceeds to offer them money:

22 And Zeezrom said unto him: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.

The man whose name relates to silver offers the missionaries silver to deny the existence of God.

The fact that after mentioning the name Zeezrom, Mormon immediately interrupts the narrative to offer us an explanation as to what the name means, only then to connect the man and the meaning of his name by his action indicates to me that all of this was intentional on the part of Mormon.

I can't help but also ponder how Joseph Smith (if you want to suppose he is the actual author of this book) accomplished this kind of complex multi-tiered wordplay into his story without any notes, in a single draft. Clever!

Hat tip: Brant Gardner.