Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5041 name  »  5044 names, giving of

Scripture contains many examples of the naming of people and places. Personal names, usually given at birth by parents, were sometimes changed at a later date.

Names may reflect personal experiences

Genesis 41:51-52 See also Genesis 29:31-35; Genesis 30:6-8,18-20,23-24; Genesis 35:18; Exodus 2:10,21-22; Exodus 18:3-4; 1 Samuel 1:20; 1 Chronicles 4:9

Names may reflect national experiences

1 Samuel 4:21 See also Genesis 10:25 pp 1 Chronicles 1:19; Isaiah 8:3-4; Hosea 1:2-11

Names may indicate future destiny

Matthew 1:21 See also Luke 1:31-33

The giving of a name reflects the authority of the giver

Genesis 1:5-10; Genesis 2:19-20 See also Genesis 2:23; Genesis 35:18; 2 Kings 23:34 pp 2 Chronicles 36:4; 2 Kings 24:17; Luke 1:62-63

The changing of names

On divine instruction

Genesis 17:3-8 See also Genesis 17:15-16; Genesis 35:9-10; John 1:42

In relation to salvation

Isaiah 62:2 See also Isaiah 65:15; Revelation 2:17

In the light of past experience

Judges 6:32 See also Ruth 1:20

In the future

Zechariah 8:3 See also Isaiah 1:26; Isaiah 44:5; Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 62:4,12; Jeremiah 7:32; Jeremiah 20:3-6; Malachi 1:4

In a new culture

Genesis 41:45 See also Daniel 1:7

The instance of Paul

Acts 13:9 The occasion of and reason for the change from “Saul” to “Paul” are not clear.

Place-names may reflect events or experiences

Genesis 11:8-9; Genesis 16:13-14; Genesis 19:21-22; Genesis 21:31; Genesis 26:32-33; Genesis 28:18-19; Genesis 31:45-50; Genesis 32:1-2,30; Genesis 33:17; Genesis 35:7-8

See also

1065  God, holiness of
1105  God, power of
1348  covenant with Abraham
5215  authority
5655  birth