Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5043 names, significance of

5043 names, significance of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5041 name » 5043 names, significance of

Labels that idenitfy individuals. They may also denote aspects of character or reputation.

A name may reflect an individual's nature

1 Samuel 25:25 See also Genesis 17:5 “Abraham” means “father of many”; Genesis 32:27-29 “Israel” means “he struggles with God”; Exodus 34:14; Mark 5:9 pp Luke 8:30

Additional names or nicknames

Mark 3:17 In NT times an additional name or surname reflecting someone's character was sometimes appended to the given name. See also Luke 6:15; John 1:42 “Cephas” and “Peter” mean “rock” in Aramaic and Greek respectively; Acts 4:36

A name may indicate an individual's reputation and standing in the community

A good name indicates a good reputation

Proverbs 22:1 See also Proverbs 3:4; Proverbs 10:7; Ecclesiastes 7:1; Songs 1:3

A bad name indicates a bad reputation

Nehemiah 6:13 See also Deuteronomy 22:13-19; Proverbs 25:9-10

Survival of one's name is important

Ruth 4:9-10 See also Genesis 48:15-16; Numbers 27:1-4; Deuteronomy 25:7-9; 2 Samuel 18:18; Job 18:17-19

Preservation of a name indicates divine blessing

Isaiah 56:4-5 See also Genesis 12:1-3; 2 Samuel 7:9 pp 1 Chronicles 17:8; 1 Kings 1:47; Isaiah 66:22

Obliteration of a name is associated with death

Jeremiah 11:19 See also Deuteronomy 7:24; Deuteronomy 9:14; 2 Samuel 14:7; 2 Kings 14:27

Obliteration of a name is often linked with divine judgment

Psalm 9:5-6 See also Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalm 109:13; Isaiah 14:22-23; Isaiah 48:18-19; Nahum 1:14

Bearing someone's name indicates ownership or identification

Revelation 22:3-4 See also Exodus 23:21; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Deuteronomy 28:10; Isaiah 43:6-7; Jeremiah 14:9; Daniel 9:18-19; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4

God knows his people by name

Isaiah 43:1 See also Exodus 33:12,17; Isaiah 45:3; Isaiah 49:1; John 10:3