Names are important and matter. God knows your name!

Did you realize your name is important, matters, and has meaning? Ever wondered what your name means? Have you gone through the process of researching your name, it’s meaning, and even how you got it? Ever had your name changed for some reason?

Our Name is important and has meaning:

Here are a few biblical examples of names and what the Bible says about them:

• Adam:
  • Genesis 2:7 (NIV) – “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
  • The name Adam is related to the Hebrew word “adamah,” meaning ground or earth, emphasizing that Adam was formed from the dust of the ground.
• Eve:
  • Genesis 3:20 (NIV) – “Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.”
  • The name Eve is derived from the Hebrew word “chavvah,” meaning life or living, highlighting her role as the mother of all living.
• Isaac:
  • Genesis 17:19 (NIV) – “Then God said, ‘Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.'”
  • The name Isaac means “he laughs,” as Sarah laughed when she heard that she would bear a son in her old age.
• Jacob:
  • Genesis 25:26 (NIV) – “After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.”
  • The name Jacob is related to the Hebrew word “akev,” meaning heel, suggesting the idea of grabbing the heel, which is symbolic of Jacob’s birth holding onto Esau’s heel.
• Moses:
  • Exodus 2:10 (NIV) – “And when he was older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, ‘I drew him out of the water.'”
  • The name Moses is derived from the Egyptian word for “drawn out,” signifying how he was drawn out of the water as an infant.
• Samuel:
  • 1 Samuel 1:20 (NIV) – “So in the course of time, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.'”
  • The name Samuel is a combination of two Hebrew words, “shama” (heard) and “el” (God), meaning “heard by God” or “asked of God.”
• Solomon:
  • 2 Samuel 12:24 (NIV) – “Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him.”
  • The name Solomon is derived from the Hebrew word “shalom,” meaning peace, signifying the peace that came to the kingdom during his reign.
• John:
  • Luke 1:13 (NIV) – “But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.'”
  • The name John means “God is gracious” or “God has shown favor.”
• Jesus:
  • Matthew 1:21 (NIV) – “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”
  • The name Jesus is derived from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation” or “the Lord saves.”
• Joshua:
  • Numbers 13:16 (NIV) – “These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.)”
  • The name Joshua is derived from the Hebrew word “Yehoshua,” meaning “Yahweh is salvation” or “the Lord saves,” similar to the name Jesus.

These examples showcase the significance of names in the Bible and how they often convey deeper meanings related to the circumstances of a person’s birth or their role in God’s plan.

Name changes happen for a reason:

When God had another plan, a greater calling, we see people have their names changed. In the Bible, names often carry significant meanings and changes in names can symbolize a change in a person’s identity or destiny.

• Abram to Abraham:
  • Genesis 17:5 (NIV) – “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”
• • This change in name reflected God’s promise to make Abraham the father of a multitude of nations, emphasizing the new identity and purpose God had for him.
• Sarai to Sarah:
  • Genesis 17:15 (NIV) – “God also said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.'”
• • Just like Abraham, Sarah’s name was changed to signify her role in God’s plan, as she was to become the mother of nations.
• Jacob to Israel:
  • Genesis 32:28 (NIV) – “Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'”
• • Jacob’s name change marked a significant event in his life, signifying his transformation after wrestling with God. The name Israel means “he struggles with God.”
• Simon to Peter:
  • Matthew 16:18 (NIV) – “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
• • Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter (which means “rock”) to signify his foundational role in the establishment of the Church.
• Daniel’s Friends:
  • Daniel 1:7 (NIV) – “The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.”
• • Daniel and his friends received new names when they were taken into Babylonian captivity, names that reflected the Babylonian culture. However, they remained faithful to their true identities and God.

These examples demonstrate how names in the Bible often carry spiritual significance, and a change in name can represent a divine calling or a transformation in one’s relationship with God.

The names of God that express who He is:

In the Bible, God is referred to by various names, each highlighting different aspects of His character, attributes, and relationship with humanity. Here are some of the prominent names of God in the Bible:

• Yahweh (Jehovah):
  • This is the most sacred name of God in the Old Testament. It is often translated as “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) This name emphasizes God’s eternal and self-existent nature.
• Elohim:
  • This name is used in the very beginning of Genesis and throughout the Old Testament. It signifies God’s power and might as the Creator.
• Adonai:
  • Translated as “Lord” or “Master,” Adonai emphasizes God’s authority and lordship over all.
• El Shaddai:
  • Meaning “God Almighty,” El Shaddai highlights God’s all-sufficient and powerful nature. It is used in the context of God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 17:1).
• El Elyon:
  • Translated as “God Most High,” El Elyon emphasizes God’s supremacy and sovereignty over all the earth (Genesis 14:18-22).
• Jehovah Jireh:
  • This name means “The Lord Will Provide” and is associated with God’s provision. It was used by Abraham when God provided a ram for sacrifice instead of Isaac (Genesis 22:14).
• Jehovah Rapha:
  • Translated as “The Lord Who Heals,” Jehovah Rapha emphasizes God’s role as the healer. It is connected to God’s promise to heal His people (Exodus 15:26).
• Jehovah Nissi:
  • Meaning “The Lord is My Banner,” this name is associated with God’s victory and protection. It was used by Moses when commemorating a victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15).
• Jehovah Shalom:
  • Translated as “The Lord is Peace,” Jehovah Shalom is associated with God’s peace. Gideon used this name after encountering the Angel of the Lord (Judges 6:24).
• Jehovah Rohi:
  • Meaning “The Lord is My Shepherd,” Jehovah Rohi highlights God’s role as the caring and guiding Shepherd. It is found in Psalm 23.
• Jehovah Sabaoth:
  • Translated as “The Lord of Hosts” or “The Lord of Armies,” this name emphasizes God’s authority and power over angelic armies and all of creation.
• Ancient of Days:
  • Found in the book of Daniel, this name emphasizes God’s eternal nature and wisdom (Daniel 7:9, 13).

Want to look up the meaning of your name?

Every year for camp, I have to lookup and find the meanings for each camper that comes to camp along with a scripture verse that goes along with it. With how some people get named today, they don’t show up in names book and so I need to dig deeper and start searching “name meanings” on the internet to see if I can find them, especially when they aren’t common or in some cases get made up by their parents. Here are some resources you can use to look up your name:

• The Meaning and History of First Names – Behind the Name
• What Does My Name Mean? The Meaning Of Names
• Name Meanings | Search Names by Meaning | Nameberry
• Baby Names and Meanings at BabyNames.com
• The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names – Their Meanings, Origins, and Spiritual Significance (amazon.com)

Today’s Verse of the Day:

Firstly, let’s be the dads who realize Jesus was spoken of in the Old Testament with details of his purpose along with names to carry. Secondly, let’s be the dads who realize that God the Father so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Finally, let’s be the dads who lean into God’s Word to remember that the eternal government will be upon the shoulders of Jesus and He is called and will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus came, He is God with us, that’s right another name is Immanuel.

How can we apply today’s verse of the day to be the dads God created, purposed, and planned for us to be so that we can meet the needs of our wives and kids? What can we take from it to help us live up to His calling and bring Him praise, honor, and glory?

Applications of Isaiah 9:6 towards being the dads that God created and calls us to be so as to meet the needs of our wives and kids:

• Wonderful Counselor: Embrace the role of being a wise and supportive counselor for your family. Seek guidance from the ultimate Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, in making decisions and providing guidance to your spouse and children.
• Mighty God: Rely on the strength and power of God in your role as a father. Understand that true strength comes from a relationship with the Almighty, and model this dependence on God’s strength to your family.
• Everlasting Father: Emulate the qualities of an enduring and compassionate father. Strive to be a consistent and loving presence in your family’s life, reflecting the eternal love of the Heavenly Father.
• Prince of Peace: Foster an environment of peace within your home. Seek reconciliation, promote understanding, and actively work towards resolving conflicts. Model the peace that comes through a relationship with the Prince of Peace.
• Immanuel (God with us): Be present in the lives of your family members. Show them that you are there for them in times of joy and sorrow, mirroring the truth of God’s presence in our lives.
• Recognize the Names of God: Study and understand the various names of God found in the Bible. Integrate these aspects of God’s character into your own life, reflecting them in your interactions with your family.
• Name Changes and Transformations: Be open to personal transformation and growth. Just as individuals in the Bible experienced name changes that symbolized a change in identity or purpose, be willing to adapt and align your life with God’s plan.
• Reliance on God’s Promises: Trust in the promises of God, just as Abraham and Sarah trusted in the promise of a child. Base your decisions and actions on the unchanging and faithful nature of God.
• Reflect God’s Attributes: Strive to reflect the attributes of God in your fatherhood journey. Whether it’s wisdom, strength, compassion, or peace, look to God as the ultimate example and seek to embody these qualities in your role as a father.
• Study the Scriptures: Regularly engage with the Scriptures to deepen your understanding of God’s Word. Use resources like those mentioned for researching name meanings to delve into the biblical context and teachings that can guide and inspire your fatherhood.

Principles of Fatherhood:

By applying these principles, fathers can align themselves with the biblical model of fatherhood and fulfill their God-given roles in the family.