What’s in a Name?
January 3, 2011
Naming is important to us. As parents, when we name our children, we either pour over lists in baby books (we did), or use popular culture (I wonder how many Hermiones and Cullens are coming along now?) Of course, there are the traditional favorites from the Bible and your family tree. My first name is Clifford, and I was not named after a big red dog but an education professor at Appalachian who was kind to my mother while she was pregnant with me, trying to graduate.
The meaning of the Biblical names can be fascinating. Abraham is “ father of many,” David is “beloved,” Elijah means “ my God is Yahweh,” while Matthew is a “gift of Yahweh,” and John means “Yahweh is gracious.”
Some names are quite descriptive: Isaac is “laughter.” Esau is “hairy,” while his brother Jacob is a “supplanter.” Leah, one of Jacob’s wives means “weary” (she did have a gang of children) and another wife Bilhah is “bashful.”
This time of year, when we sing Handel’s Messiah, we draw from Isaiah 9:6 in celebrating Christ’s birth. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace-all great names. Entering a new year, we should especially treasure another name for Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us.
