While the OT word often refers to a given name, in the context of the ancient Near East it conveys much more. Names represented people in much the same way that idols were thought to represent the false gods. A name was a point of access, and naming or having knowledge of a name was thought to give one person power over another.
Besides that, Hebrew names were sometimes considered reflective of character and/or destiny. God even changed names (Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel) to reflect either a transformation in their relationship with Him or a prophetic heads-up of His plans for them. This renaming indicates His lordship and dominion over them.
Having a good name meant a person had integrity and would be remembered for a good reputation. Names for offspring were considered with care. We were delighted when our grandson and his wife named their first child Elias, a Hebrew word meaning “Jehovah is God.”
The OT proclaims many names for God. Some describe His divine attributes such as His healing power, His all-seeing ability, and His presence with us as “Immanuel”. At the burning bush, He told Moses that His name is YHWH or Yahweh, emphasizing His self-existence.
Other names refer to His power, that He is a refuge for His people, He is to be called upon, exalted, trusted and praised. To speak in the name of the Lord is to speak with his authority.
In the NT, one’s name is wrapped up with one’s person as well. In one For example, the sons of Sceva name the name of Jesus to try and cast out demons. In Acts 19:15 their efforts were answered when the evil spirit said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
The NT recognizes the power of Jesus’ name. Ephesians 1:20–21 declare that when the Father “worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” Jesus was “above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
Jesus is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Joshua. This name means “Jehovah saves”. This echoes the idea that the name represents the essence of a person. Jesus had this in mind when He changed Simon’s name to Peter (“hearing” to “rock”) and the sons of Zebedee to “Sons of Thunder”. Revelation 2:17 says those who overcome will be given new names indicating the power of Christ to not only change names but character.
In John 17:6, Jesus gave a reason for coming: “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” Revealing His name was to reveal what God is like. Believers are baptized into the name of Jesus meaning we identify with Him in his death and resurrection. The NT also says healing and teaching were done in His name, and Christians are persecuted because of His name.
Matthew 10:22. and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. The name of Jesus is lovely to me and I realize its power. I’ve seen God work just because that name was used in prayer requests, to acknowledge He is Lord, and to declare that salvation is in His name only. In His precious name is my hope of eternal life and my experience of abundant life. If I say “God” then listeners have connotations that suit their idea of who God is, but that is rarely done when I use the name of Jesus. Blessed is His name, His powerful name!
Philippians 2:9–11. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
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