What's in a name?

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." So goes the quote from the tragedy "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare. Parents choose the name of their newborns carefully, whether it is a new-fangled name or the name of a favorite relative, and they also have to see how the chosen name fits with the surname.

In the Bible, people's names and place names reflected their character traits. Most of the time, the actual text does not provide the meaning of the name; you can usually find the meaning of a name in a footnote. Sometimes, however, the meaning of the name is found in the text. Isaac's wife Rebekah bore him twin sons. The firstborn son was named Esau, which means "hairy," because he was covered with hair when he was born. The other twin was named Jacob, which means "one who takes the heel," because he grabbed Esau's heel when he exited the womb. Jacob's name also means "deceiver," and he deceived Esau out of his birthright. Jacob's wife Leah bore him many sons. Each son's name described the circumstances of his conception or birth.

Names were also changed by God if the person's circumstances changed. Abraham's original name was Abram (exalted father). God changed Abram's name to Abraham (father of a multitude) in Genesis 17 when God told him that he would be the father of many nations. Sarah's name was originally Sarai, and her name was also changed in Genesis 17. Sarah's name means "princess." Sarah laughed when she heard the Lord say that she would bear a child in her old age, so her son's name was Isaac, which means "laughter."

Jacob's name was changed to Israel (Prince with God) after he wrestled with a Man, who was probably the Angel of the Lord, in Genesis 32. Jacob called that place Peniel, which means "Face of God." The name change is reconfirmed in Genesis when Jacob returned to Bethel (which means "house of God").

Jesus changed names as well.  He gave Simon the name Peter. He also gave brothers James and John the nickname Boanerges, which means "sons of thunder."

As believers, we will also receive new names. In Revelation 2:17(b), John writes: "And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one know except him who receives it." Even Jesus Himself will get a new name. In Revelation 3:12, Jesus states: “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.  I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My new name.” There is no indication in Revelation what Jesus’ new name is – we will just have to wait until we get to Heaven to find out what it is. 

Interested in finding out what your name means? You can go to this website https://www.behindthename.com/to find out.

Thanks for reading! See you next time! 

Diane