Names in the Bible

In the culture and time in which the Bible was written a person’s name was given for a very specific purpose. Today and in our culture parents usually name their child a certain name because they like the sound of it. For the most part we are unaware of what a certain name actually means, but whether we know it or not, every name has a specific meaning. Nevertheless, in the time and culture in which the Bible was written people were actually aware of the meaning of names. And certain names in the Bible would be given based on one of several things: Character, appearance, status, an event surrounding their birth, origin, some names were given as a prophecy, or as a message from God. I'll explain what I mean by each one of these things and we'll look at some examples of each one. This is not an extensive list, and there are doubtless other reasons for certain biblical names, but I just want to focus on these seven to help establish in our minds that when it comes to biblical names, and ultimately to the names of God, there's more going on here than simply a way to identify and address someone. Names in the Bible carry with them a great deal of information.

1) First off, names were given based on character. We see an example of this in Genesis chapter 25 at the birth of Jacob. When Jacob, the twin brother of Esau, was born we're told that he came out "with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob." The name Jacob literally means 'one who catches the heel,' or 'supplanter.' Jacob was born grabbing on to his older brothers heel, and that is the kind of character that Jacob demonstrated for a good part of his life. Jacob was a schemer. He was constantly trying to work things in his favor, catching others by the heel, tripping them up in order to get ahead. So his name sheds some light on his character.

Another example of this is found in 1 Samuel 25. There we read of a man by the name of Nabal who dishonored and disrespected king David to such an extent that David had actually set out with his army in order to kill this guy. However, while he was on his way David was met by Nabals wife Abigail who said to David in verse 25 - "Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name and folly is with him." The name Nabal means 'fool.' He was aptly named. He was named fool' and he was a foolish man. 

We also find an example of someone being named based on character in the New Testament. In Mark 3:17 we're told that Jesus gave James and John the name "Boanerges" which means "sons of thunder." This was the powerful kind of personality that these guys had. You'll remember in Luke chapter 9 as the Lord Jesus was traveling, the people in a certain city didn't receive Him. And it was James and John who said "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" This, of course, was not the proper response, but it gives us an idea of the kind of powerful personalities that these brothers had.

2) Secondly, a name could be given based on a persons appearance, perhaps a pronounced feature. We see this again in Genesis 25 this time not looking at Jacob, but at his brother Esau. We read in Genesis 25:25 - "Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau." The name Esau means 'Hairy.' There was one overwhelming feature when this baby was born, he was hairy. So he was named based on his appearance. This is not a very nice sounding name, and I suppose it's a good thing that babies aren't often named based on their appearance at birth, but nevertheless, this is how some names were chosen.

3) Third, someone could be named based on their family statues or position in society. In Genesis chapter  35 when Jacobs youngest son was born we're told that Rachel died giving birth to him. and we read in Genesis 35:38 - "It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin." The name that Rachel gave the boy means 'Son of my sorrow.' His father, on the other hand, named him Benjamin, a name meaning 'Son of my right hand.' With this name Jacob was showing that this son had a special place. He was the favorite son. He would hold a special position in the family, and his name signified that position that he had. 

4) Fourthly, a name might be given due to an event that was directly related to or surrounded a persons birth. We see this in the naming of Isaac in Genesis 17:19 where the Lord said to Abraham - "Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac." Why is this significant? When the Lord promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son they both laughed. So God basically said to them 'You will have a son, and you shall give him the name laughter.' Which is what Isaac actually means.

Another example of this is found in Exodus chapter 2 when Pharaohs daughter found Moses among the bulrushes. We read in verse 10 - "And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”" The name Moses means 'to draw out.' So he was named based on something that happened to him around the time of his birth.

5) Fifth, a person might be given a name that points to their place of origin, the place that they were from. We get an example of this in Genesis chapters 33. As Abraham journeyed he came near a city called Shechem and bought a piece of land from a man named Hamor who is identified as "The father of Shechem." And we learn a good deal about this fellow in Genesis chapter 34. But apparently he was named after the city where he lived. 

6) Sixth, some names in the Bible were given prophetically, that is, certain names were given to point forward to an event that would happen during the lifetime of the child that was so named. We see an example of this in the genealogy given in Genesis chapter 10. In verse 25 we read - "Two sons were born to Eber; the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided." The name Peleg means 'Division.' And his name foretold something that was going to happen during his lifetime. He was named 'division' and during his life the earth was divided.

Another example of this is found in Hosea chapter 1. Hosea's wife gave birth to a son and the Lord told Hosea to name him "Jezreel." A name that means 'Scattered' or 'Sown of the Lord.' The reason for this name, the Lord says, is because He was about to punish Israel. He was going to scatter them. Literally, He said, He was going to "Jezreel Israel." And so the Lord gives this name as a prophecy of something that was going to take place during this boys lifetime.

7) Seventh, a name might be given as a message that God wanted to communicate to His people. We also see examples of this in Hosea chapter 1. Hosea's wife had two more children after Jezreel, and the Lord told him to name one "Lo-Ruhama" which means 'Not having received compassion.'  and the other he was told to name "Lo-Ammi" a name meaning 'Not Mine,' or 'Not My people,' And the Lord gives both of these as messages to His people. He says in Hosea 1 - "For I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel... For you are not My people and I am not your God." So the Lord communicated a specific message through the naming of Hosea's children.

There are also instances in the Bible when a person’s name was changed because as they went through their life it became apparent that either their name wasn’t appropriate to describe them or simply that another name suited them much better. For instance, in Genesis chapter 17 the Lord changed Abrams name to Abraham. This name change was a reiteration of Gods promise to him. Abram means ‘exalted father’ while Abraham means ‘father of a multitude.’ But even before Isaac was born the Lord changed Abrams name as a reinforcement of His promise.

In Genesis 25 Esau's name was changed to Edom. Esau means ‘hairy’ while Edom means ‘red.’ That he was hairy was quite obvious but this name change actually tells us something about his character rather than His appearance. He was named Red as a reminder that he traded the future blessing of God for a single meal. He wanted some of the red stew that Jacob had and he was willing to give anything for it. He could only see the red stuff right in front of Him so he was named Red. He was no longer known for his appearance, but for his shortsightedness.

In Genesis chapter 32 God changed Jacobs name to Israel. Like we saw before, Jacob means ‘supplanter’ but Israel means ‘prince with God.’ After an intense wrestling match with God, Jacob was broken before God. He was broken and contrite before him and begged for His blessing with tears. It was at this point that the Lord changed his name.

In Acts chapter 4 there was a man in the early church by the name of Joseph. This man was such an encouragement to those around him that he became known as Barnabas, a name which means 'Son of encouragement.'

So a persons name in the Bible carries with it a great deal of significance. There is a lot more information there then first meets the eye. And the same thing is true when we begin to consider the names of our Lord.
1) Some of His names shed light on some aspect of His character. In Isaiah 9:6 we read - "And His name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace." All these names describe Gods character. He is wonderful. He is mighty. He is everlasting. He is a God of peace. When we considered the names of mere men some were named based on the one aspect of their character that was most pronounced. But when it comes to God He has so many names that describe His character because He is so vast. And He has no aspect of His character that is more pronounced than another. He is completely Just, completely Holy, completely Loving, completely Jealous, all at the same time. So the Lord has names that reveal to us His vast, unsearchable character.

2) Some of Gods names tell us something about His appearance. In Colossians 1:15 He is called "The Image of the invisible God." We're told that God is invisible, and yet in the same verse we're told that God has an image. The Lord Jesus is the visible representation of the invisible God. The Lord Jesus is also called the "Brightness of His glory" in Hebrews chapter 1. These are names that describe His appearance.

3) God also has names that tell us of His position. In 1 Timothy 6:15 He is called "the King of kings, Lord of lords." The Lord Jesus is called the Prophet, He's our Great High Priest, He is the Beloved Son of the Father. These are names that speak to us of His position.

4) The Lord even has names that speak of His origin. On this subject the Bible tells us that He has no origin. God always was, He didn't come from anywhere. In Romans 16:26 He is called "The Eternal God." Eternal means no beginning and no end. And so this name points to His origin. But the interesting thing is, at the same time God is called in Genesis 3 "The Seed of the woman." Another name speaking of His origin and an event surrounding His birth. The eternal God took on flesh, and so He even has names that speak of His entering creation as a man.

5) God also has names that tell us about where He is from. Time and again, particularly throughout the book of Daniel, God is referred to as "The Most High God." And in the Gospels He is called the Heavenly Father.

6) The Lord Jesus has some names that prophetically tell of events that would happen in His lifetime. One of these is given in John 1:29 when John calls Him the "Lamb of God." Speaking of that one sacrifice that was needed to finally deal with the problem of sin. It was this name that identified Him as the sacrificial Lamb of God, and pointed forward to His death for the whole world.

7) And finally, the Lord has some names that are a direct message that God wanted to communicate to His people. In Matthew 1:21 the angel tells Joseph - "you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." The name Jesus means 'The Lord Saves.' And this is His message for us and for all mankind. Our God saves