Given the complexity of the WWP’s system for encoding names, and given the range of names and name-like terms in our textbase, there will always be borderline cases which need to be decided individually. The following is a list of difficult cases and their proper encoding.
God, Lord, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit: these are not personal names. Encode with <mcr>, only if renditionally distinct.
Jesus Christ (but not “Christ” alone), Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub: these are names and should be encoded with <persName>
Elysium, Tartarus, Hades, Valhalla: encode with <placeName>
Israel: this is a particularly tricky case, since although in the Bible it usually refers to a collectivity of people, it also may be used in ways which are closer to a placename. Different translations of the Bible may give different emphasis, so it may be difficult to determine for certain which usage is really meant. Encoders should be aware that the <name> usage is the more likely; a phrase like “land of Israel” will usually mean something like “land of the people called Israel”. However, they should be alert for the possibility of <placeName>. Finally, “Israel” may refer specifically to Jacob, in which case it should be encoded with <persName>.