T or F? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Don’t you love it when someone remembers your first name? Why is that? Why does hearing our name spoken out loud matter so much?
That’s because proper names are very significant.
Baby Names
Parents seem to know this intuitively. When choosing your baby’s name, you probably searched around for some kind of resource to look up the meaning. We took great care when naming our kids too. From a baby name book, we chose a name for our daughter that means “sweet speech, sweet as honey.” It’s lovely to know that a positive message is spoken aloud every time someone calls out her name.
God’s Names
Scripture attaches great importance to the compound names of God, because his names reveal his character. For example, Jehovah Jireh means “the Lord who provides” and Jehovah Rapha signifies “the Lord who heals.” Most of us know and love the beautiful Wonderful-Counselor-Prince-of-Peace verse in Isaiah 9:6.
Jesus’ Names
Discovering the specific meaning of “Jesus” requires some dictionary digging. Jesus is the English spelling of the Greek Iesous, from the Hebrew Yeshua (English: Joshua) which means “the Lord is salvation” or simply “savior.” Christ—a title—is from the Greek word Christos from the Hebrew Mashiah (English: Messiah). It means “anointed” or “consecrated” and set apart for service.
In the OT, prophets, priests, and kings were all anointed by the Spirit, but The Christ is typically regarded as manifesting the perfect union of all three offices. Note the parallels between Moses’ right hand man, Joshua who was chosen to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Similarly, Yeshua—who sits at God’s right hand—will come again to lead Christian believers into eternal life.
Old Testament Names
Adam named all the animals in the Garden. After the Fall, he gave his wife Eve “life” her name. Shem, brother of Ham and Japheth was among Noah’s three sons who survived the flood. Shem literally translates to mean “name.”
From Shem we get Semites, the larger ethnic people group from which the Israelites descended. The famous Shema “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God; the Lord is One” is frequently recited by the Jews. In a land surrounded by idolatrous heathens with multiple gods, this familiar prayer reminded the Israelites to worship the One True God.
The words shema, shemen (fat, oil) and semen are all related. They connote “seed” or life. It’s easy to see that the biblical concept of names, seeds, words, and life are all inter-related.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (Jn 6:63) and “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom 10:17) are important NT passages in regard to Christian salvation. We must hear and believe the Bible in order to receive the gift of the Spirit and immortality. Have you heard the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ? And do you believe?
Names' Hidden Meanings Tell a Story
Maybe you’ve seen the remarkable story that's created when the oldest names in the Bible mentioned in Genesis 5 are strung together. In his book Hidden Treasures, author Chuck Missler says, “In our Bible we read the ten Hebrew names: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. Since they are proper names, they are not translated but only transliterated to approximate the way they were pronounced. But what do these names signify in English?” Here's his answer:
Hebrew-English
Adam-Man
Seth-Appointed
Enosh-Mortal
Kenan-Sorrow
Mahalalel-The Blessed God
Jared-Shall come down
Enoch-Teaching
Methuselah-His death shall bring
Lamech-The despairing
Noah-Rest, or comfort
Amazing, yes? You can read more about God's plan for redemption hidden within Genesis 5 in Chuck Missler's online article, "The Gospel in Genesis."
Related
For fellowship and inspiration, consider joining the weekly Carnival of Homeschooling. Also, every Wednesday join the sweet ladies linked up at Seeds of Faith for iFellowship and Good Morning Girls for Women of the Word Wednesdays.
Photos: FrStephenMSC (1 & 2) Philocrites (3) (Flickr)
Up Next—Top Five Jokes at Chrysalis Evah
Can you add to this discussion? What have you learned about Bible names?
That’s because proper names are very significant.
Baby Names
Parents seem to know this intuitively. When choosing your baby’s name, you probably searched around for some kind of resource to look up the meaning. We took great care when naming our kids too. From a baby name book, we chose a name for our daughter that means “sweet speech, sweet as honey.” It’s lovely to know that a positive message is spoken aloud every time someone calls out her name.
God’s Names
Scripture attaches great importance to the compound names of God, because his names reveal his character. For example, Jehovah Jireh means “the Lord who provides” and Jehovah Rapha signifies “the Lord who heals.” Most of us know and love the beautiful Wonderful-Counselor-Prince-of-Peace verse in Isaiah 9:6.
Jesus’ Names
Discovering the specific meaning of “Jesus” requires some dictionary digging. Jesus is the English spelling of the Greek Iesous, from the Hebrew Yeshua (English: Joshua) which means “the Lord is salvation” or simply “savior.” Christ—a title—is from the Greek word Christos from the Hebrew Mashiah (English: Messiah). It means “anointed” or “consecrated” and set apart for service.
In the OT, prophets, priests, and kings were all anointed by the Spirit, but The Christ is typically regarded as manifesting the perfect union of all three offices. Note the parallels between Moses’ right hand man, Joshua who was chosen to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Similarly, Yeshua—who sits at God’s right hand—will come again to lead Christian believers into eternal life.
Old Testament Names
Adam named all the animals in the Garden. After the Fall, he gave his wife Eve “life” her name. Shem, brother of Ham and Japheth was among Noah’s three sons who survived the flood. Shem literally translates to mean “name.”From Shem we get Semites, the larger ethnic people group from which the Israelites descended. The famous Shema “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God; the Lord is One” is frequently recited by the Jews. In a land surrounded by idolatrous heathens with multiple gods, this familiar prayer reminded the Israelites to worship the One True God.
The words shema, shemen (fat, oil) and semen are all related. They connote “seed” or life. It’s easy to see that the biblical concept of names, seeds, words, and life are all inter-related.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (Jn 6:63) and “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom 10:17) are important NT passages in regard to Christian salvation. We must hear and believe the Bible in order to receive the gift of the Spirit and immortality. Have you heard the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ? And do you believe?
Names' Hidden Meanings Tell a Story
Maybe you’ve seen the remarkable story that's created when the oldest names in the Bible mentioned in Genesis 5 are strung together. In his book Hidden Treasures, author Chuck Missler says, “In our Bible we read the ten Hebrew names: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. Since they are proper names, they are not translated but only transliterated to approximate the way they were pronounced. But what do these names signify in English?” Here's his answer:
Hebrew-English
Adam-Man
Seth-Appointed
Enosh-Mortal
Kenan-Sorrow
Mahalalel-The Blessed God
Jared-Shall come down
Enoch-Teaching
Methuselah-His death shall bring
Lamech-The despairing
Noah-Rest, or comfort
“Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest.”
Amazing, yes? You can read more about God's plan for redemption hidden within Genesis 5 in Chuck Missler's online article, "The Gospel in Genesis."
Related
For fellowship and inspiration, consider joining the weekly Carnival of Homeschooling. Also, every Wednesday join the sweet ladies linked up at Seeds of Faith for iFellowship and Good Morning Girls for Women of the Word Wednesdays.Photos: FrStephenMSC (1 & 2) Philocrites (3) (Flickr)
Up Next—Top Five Jokes at Chrysalis Evah
Can you add to this discussion? What have you learned about Bible names?
18 Comments:
I just love how God works all of this together to give it significance. He is in the details. I love that about Him.
I was very happy with my son's name, Caleb Benjamin...as I thought it meant "Bold, Son of the Right Hand" but then I was told that Caleb is a derogatory Hebrew word for dog. Nice! I like the Bible story...Caleb was a good guy...and his daughters were blessed with the land...I like that part! HA!
One of my favorites!
Luke 10:38
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Martha's sister was CALLED Mary...
In the Hebrew, Mary or Mara means bitter. Luke doesn't say she was NAMED Mary (bitter) but was CALLED Mary (bitter).
John 11:1
1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)
(Matthew 26:7-13, Mark 14: 3-9.)
3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
Although we never know WHY she was called Mary, I am completely convinced that her encounter with Christ changed her for eternity! If someone has changed your life so completly, where else would you rather be than at His feet?
Connie
PS Yes, My blog is open again. I have been able to move beyond he family member whom I had issues with.
Such an informative post! thanks..lol...i was just reading that section of Genesis the other day for my daily Bible reading (Chronologically going thru it this year)and was thinking about all those names! I find Constance's comment very interesting....never thot about the name Mary!!
Yes names have been important to me...my daughter's means "Pure Victory" and only God knew she would need that name and that declared over her every day!
Just recently I realized I never hear my name, my kids call me "Mom", husband, "Babe" and friends, "Hey Girl"...when someone called my name it took me off guard...I realized I needed to hear my name...maybe because it means "grace" and I am in need of that.
Great post...so enjoyed reading and remembering other writings on this subject...now I think I will have my 15 year old read for his Bible study this morning...thanks!
I've heard/read some of these things before, but some of it was new to me -- like the meanings of the earliest Bible names all strung together. A very rich study.
This is why my husband won't let me name any of our boys Jacob. He says we don't need a deceiver!
When my daughter was born we named her Charity from I Corinthians 13, which properly translated, is the true love that mankind is to have toward one another.
My son was named Matthew Stephen. We chose the names because Matthew was the first book of the New Testament and the middle name of my maternal grand-father and Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian faith. But the meanings of the names also have significance. Matthew means given or a reward and Stephen means crown or crowned. And truly children are a reward and a crown, even through the hard times.
Glowin Girl: I agree!
Bobbi: LOL, you make me chuckle, Bobbi. I think Caleb is a wonderful name. It sounds so strong and manly! (Not sure about the "dog" definition.)
Constance: A fascinating study, Connie. I had forgotten that Mara means "bitter." No doubt Mary's encounters with Jesus did change her for eternity. Imagine!
It's easy to confuse Mary (sister of Martha), Mary Magdelene (prostitute), and Mary the Mother of Jesus. Also, I know that "Mary" and "Miriam" have some connection in Hebrew. Have you done any research on that?
A side note: Like Peter at Caesarea Philippi, in this John 11 passage, Martha boldly stepped out and acknowleged Jesus as the Christ/Messiah.
From v. 27:
She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."
When debating over Mary and Martha and who was more "spiritual," we sometimes forget Martha's profound insight.
Another interesting area to study would be the long list of people whose names God changed after they had an encounter with Him... from Abram to Jacob to Saul!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts today.
Faith I admire your fortitude! Keep up the good work of reading straight through the Scriptures.
Janette: I'm so with you, Janette. LOL, I rarely hear my first name... honey, Mom etc. are much more common. Funny to be taken aback when we hear our name, isn't it? Must be a function of age, LOL.
I'm honored that you would share this post with your 15-yr old!
BarabaraH.: I'm glad you learned something new today!
Sandra: Well, he has a point there! LOL.
PhoenixFire: Love this: Matthew means given or a reward and Stephen means crown or crowned. And truly children are a reward and a crown, even through the hard times. Bless you!
All good stuff...thanks for sharing with me. Also, did you realize that Yahweh in the Hebrew picture language means "hand revealed, nail revealed"? Cool huh? Very deep. You would really enjoy that book I promoted for awhile on my homepage: "Creation's Heartbeat: the Bible's entry code in Genesis 1:1." It's an entire book devoted to the hidden codes from the Hebrew language in this one verse and it's so rich and deep! If you read it, skip or scan the intro..he's really long winded.
I love names - one of the best studies my man did was on the Names of God - Psalm 9:10 those who know you Name put their trust in you.
I think we miss everything by not knowing His name (character) His Name(s) are so rich, so full, so fullfilling in our lives.
My name means "peaceful meadow" I always want to say huh? because I'd love a more spiritually rooted name - and then one day a co-worker (Jewish lady) told me that in Hebrew my name is translated 'mine' I bawled as I needed to hear that from the Lord that day.
Julie:
I'd love more info on "hand revealed, nail revealed!" Awesome. Where did you read that?
Here's something I figured out:
YHWH can be divided this way:
YH WH.
Written back wards like Hebrew, and reversed, it's HY HW.
Now, turn it upside down...
HY HM.
What does it say?
AY AM = I Am!
Shelley: "Mine" Awesome!!!!
I'd love to read some of your husband's work on the Names of God. Can you post something on your blog? ღ
Constance agreed to allow me post this from her email reply. She said... (Part 1)
I know what you mean! In the Bible references ((Matthew 26:7-13, Mark 14: 3-9), I poured over them to see if it was Mary Magdalene who annointed Jesus' feet but they don't say that it was her.
Luke 7:37 gives a reference to a sinful woman,
"When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume..." which I suppose could be Mary Magdalene although other Commentaries suggest her sin was something other than prostitution. When I first started looking into this passage of Mary and Martha and how changed Mary's life was, I remember thinking how the reformed prostitute angle would certainly an amazing testimony to the power and transforming love of Christ. However, I like the fact that the writers don't really give us the background on why Mary was bitter much like Paul not naming his thorn in the flesh, it helps me to insert my own issues, struggles or trials that Christ carries me through.
I haven't looked into the Miriam/Mary connection, yet... I do enjoy meditating on God's Word!
I love how important women were in the ministry of Jesus, He validates them at every turn especially in a society were women were not truly valued! Martha's proclamation of Jesus as Messiah was not only bold but in many instances she was steadfast whereas many of His Apostles had doubts.
See Part 2 below...
Constance's reply (cont.) Part 2...
After reading some of the comments yesterday left on your posting, it made me think of a wonderful confirmation of God's love.
I had gotten pregnant at 16, married the father of my oldest daughter Jennifer and went through a divorce at 19, brought on by my husband's infidelity. I remarried at 20 for all the wrong reasons, had my daughter Jessica and was once again slapped in the face with infidelity. When I was 23 years old I found myself in the depressing situation of being a single Mom for the 2nd time ,raising TWO little girls this time instead of one. I had became a Christian during my 2nd marriage but being unequally yoked, I backslid. Shortly before my 2nd marriage exploded, God began wooing me back to Him. I suffered a miscarriage and a week later found out about my husbands infidelity. The summer of 1984 was the lowest point in my life. I considered suicide numerous times but God used my maternal instincts of protecting my girls from further harm, to rein me in. God manifested Himself to me in many ways and He also gave me the life verse of Romans 8:28.
"28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "
I completely surrendered everything to God and resigned myself to being a single Mom. I reminded God that He is a Father to the fatherless and that I would rather raise my girls in a Christian home and remain single than to be miserable in a "traditional" family. At the time I was working in a Christian Bookstore and I bought Jennifer and Jessica name plaques that gave the meaning and origin of their names along with a life verse.
I have shared how God brought THE most amazing and Godly man, my husband Dave into my life. He is truly the love of my life and I respect him more than I could ever verbalize. We married and while I was pregnant, Dave was certain we were having a boy. The name Charles David had been decided upon back in the 1970's while Dave was still in High School and best friends with Charlie Moore. Charlie Moore had married a woman who would eventually become MY best friend Brenda. Together after having 2 daughters they had a son, his name is David Charles, after my husband. It seemed that all the pieces were falling into place for Dave and we would be reciprocating with our own son to name after Dave's best friend.
Imagine our surprise in witnessing a 3rd daughter being born!! It gets even better, we had no girl names picked out for her!!! Dave and I couldn't agree on a first name for anything! We did settle on LOUISE for her middle name as it is my Mother-in-Law's middle name. The morning we were discharged, we finally agreed on the name LAURA.
When Laura was 3 months old we traveled back home to Missouri for the wedding of Dave's younger brother. I also had the opportunity to visit with my previous co-workers at the Christian Bookstore and show off my new blue-eyed angel with snow white hair. I suddenly realized that I should buy a name plaque for Laura like I had for her 2 older sisters, which I did. Once back home in Nebraska I hammered in the nail over her baby bed where I was going to put her plaque. I was suddenly dropped to my knees when for the first time, it registered with me. The Name LAURA means "a victor's crown" and her life verse was:
"28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "
I never get tired of that telling that particular story of God's grace, mercy and the hope that He has lavished so extravagantly upon me!
Have an amazing day today!
Connie
It's amazing to me how God is in all the little details. It is more proof of His love and dedication for His people. Thanks for sharing my friend!
Alicia: Yes, God is in the details, just as much as He is in the big picture. He is everywhere!
Caleb does mean dog over in Israel. But it really means all heart. Cal-leb. All heart. Like a dog in hte best way. Just think of Lassie. That dof was all heart
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