The Keys to Bible Names
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:17 pm
A solid connection exists between the proper names of the Bible and its history and doctrines. The Hebrews attached great importance to the meaning of proper names-the meaning determined the name-a fact which must be remembered when studying the Scriptures, for often there is a deliberate play upon the meaning of a word. Dr. Angus states: "Nearly all the names in Hebrew are significant, and a knowledge of their meaning throws a light upon its context" (Bible Handbook, p. 185).
The meanings of the Names of the prophets were frequently keys to their books.
"Daniel" means "God is judge". His book describes:
(1) the judgment upon Babylon (Dan. 5: 26-28)
(2) The judgment in the heavenly sanctuary (Dan. 7:9,10)
(3) The time prophecy concerning the hour of God's investigative judgment (8: 14; 9: 24-26; Rev. 14: 6, 7)
(4) The close of the investigative judgment (Dan. 12: 1)
"Jeremiah" means "whom Jehovah launched forth"
The references to him being sent of God are a play upon the meaning of His name (Jer. 1: 17; 19: 1-3; 22: 1, 2, etc.).
"Micah" means "Who is like unto the Lord". Micah 7: 18 is a play upon the meaning of the name "Micah".
"Isaac's" name suggests joyous laughter, and God told Abraham to name his child Isaac. When promised a child, "Abraham . . .laughed . . . And God said . . . thou shalt call his name Isaac" (Gen. 17: 17-19).
In Gen. 18 we see the play upon the meaning of "Isaac". When the Lord (with Abraham outside his tent) repeated the promise of the child Sarah, inside the tent, heard it and "laughed within herself,And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh? Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And He said, Nay, but thou didst laugh" (Gen. 18: 9-15). When Isaac was born, "Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear me will laugh with me" (Gen. 21: 3, 6).
"Isaiah" means "the salvation of Jehovah".
"Salvation" is used in his book more than in other prophetic books; he is known as "the gospel prophet".
God selected the names of some other prophets because their meanings conveyed messages for His professed people then, and also for us now, if we look.
Solomon's name means "peaceful", as his father's rule was warlike because so there is a play upon the meaning of his name.
Nahum means "comfort and sympathy" and his tiny book we see the consolation of the Lord for those "that trust in Him" Nahum1:7
"Hosea" means "deliverer, freedom giver" and his book pleas for backslidden Israel to become spiritual Israel.
"Joel" means "Jehovah is God" and his book amplifies like no other the blessings the Creator rains on His beloved faithful, and the chaos the rejectors of Him bring upon themselves.
"Amos" means "weighty loads" and his book tells of the heaviness of the nations--including Israel---due to their love of sin; it also accuses the Hebrews of neglecting the Lord's "load" which He gave them to be a spiritual example. Amos' book also warns of the consequences of those in the last days who load themselves with sin or fail to act in God's loving way of warning the lost. Their "weighty loads" will be dreadful.
Ruth means "friend" and her "pillar in front of the Temple" was Boaz, just as Jesus is our " pillar in front of the Temple." As the Church is being depicted as a woman, and as being God's friend (not cowering slave) and the symbol of Christ as the "pillar of fire/cloud", actually the Angel (Christ) guiding wandering Israel.
The meanings of the Names of the prophets were frequently keys to their books.
"Daniel" means "God is judge". His book describes:
(1) the judgment upon Babylon (Dan. 5: 26-28)
(2) The judgment in the heavenly sanctuary (Dan. 7:9,10)
(3) The time prophecy concerning the hour of God's investigative judgment (8: 14; 9: 24-26; Rev. 14: 6, 7)
(4) The close of the investigative judgment (Dan. 12: 1)
"Jeremiah" means "whom Jehovah launched forth"
The references to him being sent of God are a play upon the meaning of His name (Jer. 1: 17; 19: 1-3; 22: 1, 2, etc.).
"Micah" means "Who is like unto the Lord". Micah 7: 18 is a play upon the meaning of the name "Micah".
"Isaac's" name suggests joyous laughter, and God told Abraham to name his child Isaac. When promised a child, "Abraham . . .laughed . . . And God said . . . thou shalt call his name Isaac" (Gen. 17: 17-19).
In Gen. 18 we see the play upon the meaning of "Isaac". When the Lord (with Abraham outside his tent) repeated the promise of the child Sarah, inside the tent, heard it and "laughed within herself,And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh? Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And He said, Nay, but thou didst laugh" (Gen. 18: 9-15). When Isaac was born, "Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear me will laugh with me" (Gen. 21: 3, 6).
"Isaiah" means "the salvation of Jehovah".
"Salvation" is used in his book more than in other prophetic books; he is known as "the gospel prophet".
God selected the names of some other prophets because their meanings conveyed messages for His professed people then, and also for us now, if we look.
Solomon's name means "peaceful", as his father's rule was warlike because so there is a play upon the meaning of his name.
Nahum means "comfort and sympathy" and his tiny book we see the consolation of the Lord for those "that trust in Him" Nahum1:7
"Hosea" means "deliverer, freedom giver" and his book pleas for backslidden Israel to become spiritual Israel.
"Joel" means "Jehovah is God" and his book amplifies like no other the blessings the Creator rains on His beloved faithful, and the chaos the rejectors of Him bring upon themselves.
"Amos" means "weighty loads" and his book tells of the heaviness of the nations--including Israel---due to their love of sin; it also accuses the Hebrews of neglecting the Lord's "load" which He gave them to be a spiritual example. Amos' book also warns of the consequences of those in the last days who load themselves with sin or fail to act in God's loving way of warning the lost. Their "weighty loads" will be dreadful.
Ruth means "friend" and her "pillar in front of the Temple" was Boaz, just as Jesus is our " pillar in front of the Temple." As the Church is being depicted as a woman, and as being God's friend (not cowering slave) and the symbol of Christ as the "pillar of fire/cloud", actually the Angel (Christ) guiding wandering Israel.