Names With Meanings

 

By Synthia Robinson-Pack



Throughout history, people have given each other names to distinguish themselves and their family members from others. Initially these names were first names. As populations grew, however, these names became more distinct. In other words, in a small village, it was possible to call someone by a first name, such as "James," and to have everyone know who "James" represented. As populations grew, it became increasingly necessary to distinguish individuals more; therefore, "James" may become known as "James the miller" or "James, William's son." This is how we developed surnames, such as "Miller" or "Williamson." Last names were developed as a result of personalities, distinguishing features or titles and honors. Examples of this are "Pleasants" and "Royal."


First names historically have also served as more than titles to distinguish individuals. They have also been given to accurately reflect their holders or the beliefs and aspirations of the parents. Names such as Prudence, Patience, Hope and Charity symbolize virtues for which the holder demonstrated or should acquire. Columbus, America and Israel are names that represent strength, patriotism and respect for certain beliefs, accomplishments and heritage. These were frequently given during the Victorian era by parents eager to bless their children at birth. The selection of names goes back much further than the 19th century though. In ancient Israel, as in many other areas, names represented people more distinctly.

 

Commons names in Israel were oftentimes common characteristics and traits, some positive and other negatives. Names such as:

  • Miriam - Stubbornness (1)

  • Sarah - Princess (2)

  • David - well-beloved (3)

  • Gareb - scab (4)

Names were often given to reflect the circumstances under which the children were born. A perfect example of this is in Genesis chapter 30. Jacob (5) was married to Rachel and her sister Leah. Leah had children but Rachel was childless and angry. She gave her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob as a wife and she became pregnant. Afterwards Leah gave Jacob her handmaid Zilpah. She had children. The names given to the children by Rachel and Leah, however, are true indications of the circumstances.

And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees that I may also have children by her. And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son. And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad. And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son. And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. (6)

Notice the names: Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. It may not mean much to you unless you are familiar with Hebrew. If we look up the names, we discover their significance (7). Rachel felt that God had judged her when he allowed her handmaid to become pregnant, so she named the child Dan, "judge." When the second child was born, Rachel said "with great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed," and she named him Naphtali, "my wrestling." Leah, who already had children herself, named her handmaid's child Gad, "good fortune." She named the next child Asher, which means "happy," because she said "Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed." These names represented more than just a simple designation for each child. Each name had a story behind it. It is certain that when someone met Dan, Naphtali, Gad or Asher, they understood that their name was more than a simple title: it was an indicator given to them by their parents.


This indicator in the form of a name, however, could change. It was not uncommon for people to change their names to reflect changes in their lives or themselves. In fact, we find a perfect example of this in the story of the life of Jacob.

 

Throughout Genesis (8), we read the entire story of Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekkah, who cheated his brother Esau out of his blessing as the firstborn and conned him out of his birthright for a bowl of stew. When Esau discovered his treachery, Jacob fled to the house of his uncle Laban. There he fell in love with Rachel and served Laban seven years to marry her. Laban deceived Jacob though and after the wedding night, Jacob awakened to find her older sister Leah beside him. Jacob "the deceiver" had been deceived himself. He then served Laban seven more years to obtain his beloved Rachel. During this time, he served his uncle faithfully and increased his uncle's wealth and became wealthy himself. He decided to go home and face his brother. He gathered his wives, children, servants, livestock and other possessions and headed homeward.


It is incredible to think that Jacob, "the deceiver," showed faithfulness towards his uncle and afterwards sought to settle things between him and his brother. He had changed drastically through the years. It wass at Jabbok, however, that Jacob experienced a transformation.

 

Jacob sent servants with tremendous gifts ahead to his brother to appease him so that when he arrived, his brother would be appeased and would be less harsh towards him. He instructed his servants to tell his brother that these gifts were sent by him and that he is enroute. Jacob and his family followed behind the caravans.


We read in the Scriptures, And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. (9)


Jacob was left alone at Jabbok. It was here that he faced a more tremendous struggle than he could ever face with any man, including his brother Esau. He wrestled with God Himself.

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. (10)

Why did the Angel instruct Jacob to change his name? Jacob meant "supplanter (11)" which is a deceiver, someone who uses treachery and trickery to get something to which he is not entitled. The new name, Israel, meant "prince of God." (12) The former Deceiver became the Prince of God. What a transformation! The inward transformation became readily apparent when Jacob was no longer known as "Deceiver" but became known as "Prince of God." Can you imagine what it must have been like afterwards?

 

"Jacob, can you come here, please?" He would proudly reply, "From now on, I shall no longer be called Jacob but Israel for I have wrestled with God and received His blessing."


It is certain that people noticed the new man who stood before them. The one who once tricked his brother and father. The man who ran away and hid when his deception was discovered. Now he stood tall and faced whatever came towards him. He was a new man who had to receive a new name. Otherwise people would have considered him to be Jacob, a deceitful coward. Now, he had a name of honor, blessing and strength: "Prince of God."

 

How many times have you said the name of Jesus? Do you know the significance behind His name? It was not a name casually given to Him by His parents; it was a name chosen by God.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever ; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (13)


Matthew Henry's Commentary describes the significance of the chosen name Jesus. It also reveals the reason that Jesus was to be born. It was a prophecy.


Though she lives in poverty and obscurity, yet she shall have the honour to be the mother of the Messiah; her son shall be named Jesus - a Saviour. He will be very nearly allied to the upper world. He shall be great, truly great, for he shall be called the Son of the Highest. He shall be called, and not miscalled, the Son of the Highest. (14)


When you call upon Him, you call upon the "Savior." Every time you breathe "Jesus," you are acknowledging Him for Who He is: Savior. When you cry out to "Christ," you are acknowledging that He is the "Anointed One." (15) Whether you are a Christian in prayer or a sinner casually saying "Jesus" as an expletive, you are still acknowledging Who He is. Jesus Christ: The Anointed Savior. Next time you say His name, remember to Whom you are speaking. Maybe you will find that you utter it less casually and more reverently.

 

1. Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., James, " The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1990) 137.

2. Strong, "Universal Subject Guide To The Bible," 178.

3. Strong, "Universal Subject Guide To The Bible," 54.

4. Strong, "Universal Subject Guide To The Bible," 80.

5. See additional information below on the life of Jacob.

6. Genesis 30:1 - 13

7. Strong's, "Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary," pages 31, 80, 25 and 18 respectively.

8. Chapters 25 through 49.

9. Genesis 32:22-23

10. Genesis 32:24 - 30

11. Strong, "Universal Subject Guide To The Bible," 107.

12. Strong, "Universal Subject Guide To The Bible," 106.

13. Luke 1:30-33

14. Henry, Matthew. "Luke One," Matthew Henry's Commentary In One Volume. (1961: Grand Rapids: Zonderan Publishing House) IV, (2), 1412.

15. Strong, "Universal Subject Guide To The Bible," 44.

© Copyright 1998 - 2011,  Synthia Robinson-Pack.  All rights reserved. 

 

 

 

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