Do you know the meaning of your name?

My name, Stephanie, comes from the Greek word stephanos which means “crowned.” In Revelation, John 19:12 speaks of Jesus, “His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems [stephanos], and he has a name written that no one knows but himself” (Revelation 19:12 ESV). I like that my name means “crowned,” and I don’t like to be called anything but Stephanie. When my name is shortened, it ends up sounding like “stuff” or “staph” … Who wants to be called “staph?”

Let’s look at our Savior’s name. In English we call the Son of God, “Jesus.” When the angel Gabriel came to Joseph in a dream, he told him to take Mary as his wife, and to give our Savior a name. The passage reads, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 ESV). So, we see here that Jesus, or Yeshua, means” salvation.” In Hebrew, we find His name written as Yeshuah, and that’s what Messianic Jews call Him. We see this word used many times in Scripture.

Here are two examples:

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation [Yeshuah, Jesus]” (Psalm 13:5 ESV).

“Behold, God is my salvation [Yeshuah, Jesus]; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation [Yeshuah, Jesus]. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation [Yeshuah, Jesus]” (Isaiah 12:2-3 ESV).

There are many more usages of Jesus’ name Yeshuah used throughout the Bible, for example, Exodus 15:2, Psalm 27:1, 62:1-2, Isaiah 49:6, 49:8, 62:11 and Jonah 2:9.[1]

What are Father God’s names? We often refer to the Father as God or Lord. God can be god as well when we are referring to a false god or idol. But the Father has many names. Jewish people call him Adonai, which means “my Lords,” or “Masters” (yes, it is plural). Out of deep respect, they refuse to call Him Yahweh, which is a four-letter word in Hebrew: Yod Hey Vav Hey = YHVH. Our Bible translates this as LORD. Yahweh is also known as Jehovah.Yahweh.  Jehovah means, “I am that I am. I am the self-existent one. I am everything and anything you will ever need.”[2] Then, there is his name Elohim. This is a masculine, plural name as well.

From my Bible study book The Jewels of Hebrews, I write:

God is referred to as Elohim in Genesis 1–the account of creation. This name for God in the Hebrew language is אֱלֹהִים, and it consist of five consonants (read right to left). Hebrew is both a written and pictorial language. Each letter represents a picture or symbol adding to its meaning. The first letter of Elohim is an Aleph, or א. It illustrates an ox and stands for leader or father. The next consonant, depicted by a shepherd’s crook, is a Lamed or ל, and it symbolizes the Son or shepherd. The third character is a Hey or ה, and it portrays a man with his arms raised. It represents the Holy Spirit or revealer. The fourth consonant, signifying a mighty deed or life, is a Yod, or י, while the last letter is a Mem or מ, and suggests separation of the waters. This name for God is a plural, masculine word, and this one name contains the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit pictured as the mighty Creator.

Names are important. God knows your name, just like He knows mine. He knew what name you would be even before you were born. He calls you by your name. You are a Somebody. You are known. And God loves you so much H sent the Savior. Isaiah records God as saying, “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine'” (Isaiah 43:1 ESV).

Try calling on God by His name. Each of His names reveal an aspect of His character. As you do this, your respect of Him will deepen.

What is the biblical meaning of your name?

Heavenly Father, thank You that names matter. You are everything I need, and as I trust in You, and call You by Your names, my confidence in Your unfailing love grows.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Devotion

Copyright 2020: What’s in a Name? Stephanie Pavlantos: All Rights Reserved 

[1] Gallups, Carl. The Rabbi, the Secret Message, and the Identity of the Messiah. 2018.

[2] Arthur, Kay. To Know Him By Name. Multnoma Books, 1995, p. 61.