Every Name Has a Story

“Hallowed be your name.” — Matthew 6:9b

When you are introduced to someone who has a unique name, you can’t help but ask, “Where did you get your name?” What’s the story?

Sometimes, the story is funny. “My parents were watching this episode of Seinfeld…” Often, there is family significance. “I’m named after my grandfather, who…”

In Old Testament Israel, names held great significance. A name wasn’t just a name. Often, names contained stories that represented more than met the eye.

Names had meaning that would reflect events surrounding the birth or embody, hopes the parents had for their child, or something potentially prophetic about their future.

For example, Abraham means “father of many” and Jacob is translated as “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.”

In the Old Testament, God revealed his personal, covenantal name to Moses as Yahweh (YHWH, יהוה‎), which is translated most simply, “I am.”

Even today, names are associated with one’s identity.

For example, when we introduce a friend, we do not say, “This is a Mike,” we say, “This is Mike.”

It is the same with God’s name.