Whats in a name?

(This is a repost from my family blog back in Nov. 2008)

I heard a radio program on the way home yesterday and the topic was the names of God. The host was talking about the different names of God and what each meant. These would include:

Elohim: The plural form of EL, meaning “strong one.” It is used of false gods, but when used of the true God, it is a plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. It is especially used of God’s sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18; Deut. 5:23; 8:15; Ps. 68:7).

Compounds of El:

El Shaddai: “God Almighty.” The derivation is uncertain. Some think it stresses God’s loving supply and comfort; others His power as the Almighty one standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens (Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 6:31; Ps. 91:1, 2).

El Elyon: “The Most High God.” Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy (Gen. 14:19; Ps. 9:2; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25).

El Olam: “The Everlasting God.” Emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Gen. 16:13).

Adonai: Like Elohim, this too is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider (Gen. 18:2; 40:1; 1 Sam. 1:15; Ex. 21:1-6; Josh. 5:14).

Theos: Greek word translated “God.” Primary name for God used in the New Testament. Its use teaches: (1) He is the only true God (Matt. 23:9; Rom. 3:30); (2) He is unique (1 Tim. 1:17; John 17:3; Rev. 15:4; 16:27); (3) He is transcendent (Acts 17:24; Heb. 3:4; Rev. 10:6); (4) He is the Savior (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10). This name is used of Christ as God in John 1:1, 18; 20:28; 1 John 5:20; Tit. 2:13; Rom. 9:5; Heb. 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:1.

Kurios: Greek word translated “Lord.” Stresses authority and supremacy. While it can mean sir (John 4:11), owner (Luke 19:33), master (Col. 3:22), or even refer to idols (1 Cor. 8:5) or husbands (1 Pet. 3:6), it is used mostly as the equivalent of Yahweh of the Old Testament. It too is used of Jesus Christ meaning (1) Rabbi or Sir (Matt. 8:6); (2) God or Deity (John 20:28; Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9; Phil. 2:11).

Despotes: Greek word translated “Master.” Carries the idea of ownership while kurios stressed supreme authority (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; Rev. 6:10; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4).

Father: A distinctive New Testament revelation is that through faith in Christ, God becomes our personal Father. Father is used of God in the Old Testament only 15 times while it is used of God 245 times in the New Testament. As a name of God, it stresses God’s loving care, provision, discipline, and the way we are to address God in prayer (Matt. 7:11; Jam. 1:17; Heb. 12:5-11; John 15:16; 16:23; Eph. 2:18; 3:15; 1 Thess. 3:11).

Yahweh (YHWH): Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Gen. 4:3; Ex. 6:3 (cf. 3:14); 3:12). - also translated Jehovah

Compounds of Yahweh: Strictly speaking, these compounds are designations or titles which reveal additional facts about God’s character.

Yahweh Jireh (Yireh): “The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people (Gen. 22:14).

Yahweh Nissi: “The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).

Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24).

Yahweh Sabbaoth: “The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45).

Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13).

Yahweh Ro’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1).

Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6).

Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 48:35).

Yahweh Elohim Israel: “The Lord, the God of Israel.” Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Jud. 5:3.; Isa. 17:6)

...and it was the last one that the radio stressed as the most important. It was this name which best shows God's character as the sovereign ruler of all things and the object of all glory. It is what he calls himself when Moses asks his name (Exodus 3) and the title that Christ used to claim divinity (John 8).
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All of this got me thinking about how cavalier we are as a society about names and definitions of those names. Notice that each of the names of God had a specific meaning and I believe that there is a mysterious power in His names and in names in general. I am not talking about some goofy new age spiritualism or even word of faith style theology, however there is something about names that I believe we don't take enough time to think about and which we should take more seriously.

This line of thought reminded me of my job in high school over the 1995 winter break. I worked at a kiosk in Southlake Mall that sold framed parchments which detailed the meaning of names. It was called "Whats in a Name" and it was a good job for a few months. Thinking back to that time, I want to revisit what my name and my wife's name means as well as what our childrens's names mean and why we chose them.

Jason - (Greek) Healer
Allen - (Gaelic) Rock

Tiffany - (Greek) Manifestation of God
Anne - (Hebrew) Grace

Everett - (Germanic) Strong as a wild boar
Allen - (Gaelic) Rock

Ean - (Hebrew/ Gaelic) God is forgiving
Agustin - (Latin) Venerated

There are the meanings of our family names. We tried to choose the boys names for their uniqueness more than for their meaning I think, but being strong as wild boars or a reminder of God's forgivness is not at all a bad thing!. And I must add here that my wife was gracious enough (hence her middle name) to allow me to pick Ean's middle name in honor of the great church father, St. Augustine of Hippo. While on the topic of my wife and names...it is fitting that Tiffany's name, when put together, means "a manifestation of God's grace," because in many ways she is just that for me!
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Of course, we can't forget the family last name: Glover...see the coat of arms at the top of the post!

Origins: Scottish

Spelling variations of this family name include: Glovere

First found in Perthshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Some of the first American settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Charles Glover who settled in Boston after sailing the Atlantic on the ship, "Lion." He purchased additional lands in Salem in 1632. Henry Glover landed in New England in 1634 and by the mid-1700's, the Glovers occupied territory in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Coat of Arms: An ermine chevron between three silver crescents on a black shield.

Motto: Nec Timeo Nec Sperno (I neither fear nor despise)


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All in all I have enjoyed learning more about the names of God and my own family's names. Maybe this will prompt you to do some fun research for yourself!

Jason

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Special thanks to the late J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M. and bible.org for research material. Also to babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com for assistance.