Why does the Torah change the name of Elyasaf's father from De'u'el (1:14) to Re'u'el' (here)?
Ramban: It is not uncommon for the Torah to change a name to one with a similar meaning to the original one, 1 seeing as he was called by both names. 2
Moshav Zekenim #1 (citing R. Yehudah ha'Chasid on 1:14): He is called 'Re'u'el] because Moshe, who is called 'Re'a' (the friend) of Keil (Hashem) 5 is destined to be buried in his (Gad's) 6 portion. 7
Moshav Zekenim #2 (on 1:14): We find that a 'Daled' is interchangeable with a 'Reish', such as - "ve'Dodanim" in Bereishis 10:4, which becomes "ve'Rodanim" in Divrei ha'Yamim, 1, 1:7. 8
Ramban and R. Bachye: 'Deu'el' means that he knew Hashem, 'Reu'el', that he placed his thoughts on Hashem, as in Tehilim, 139:17.
Ramban: Another example of this is the name 'Zerach' (in Pinchas, 26:13), which the Torah changed to 'Tzochar' (in Vay'chi, Bereishis 46:10), since both mean to shine - See Yechezkel, 27:18.
See note on answer #1.
See R. Bachye.
As in Tehilim 139:17 "ve'Li Mah Yakru Re'echa".
Rashi in ve'Zos ha'Berachah, Devarim 33:21.
Moshav Zekenim (Bereishis 30:11): He merited this, for when Moshe said that Dan will lead a Degel, the Nasi of Gad did not say 'I am Zilpah's B'chor. I should also lead a Degel!' Moshe told him, it is better to be a tail of lions (one of the secondary Shevatim in a Degel of B'nei Leah) than a head of foxes.
However, a reason is needed; there, Bereishis Rabah (37:1) explainss 'If Yisrael are worthy - they act like B'nei Dodanim (cousins) ... ; but if they deteriorate, they become B'nei Rodanim (subjugators).
