Name
Hebrew #8034 – Shame – שם
Definition: (1) what something is called, a lot of times relating to its character
– Berěshith (Genesis) 2:20
“So the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field. But for the man there was not found a helper for him, as his counter part.”
– Amos 4:13
“For look, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, and who declares to man what His thought is, and makes the morning darkness, and who treads the high places of the earth, יהוה Elohim of hosts is His Name.”
– Tehillim (Psalm) 20:7
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses,
But we remember the Name of יהוה our Elohim.”
– Mattithyahu (Matthew) 13:57
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Master יהושע, giving thanks to Elohim the Father through Him.”
A name is significant. The meaning can also define the person that bears it making up the whole of their character. It makes me think of the command in
Exodus 20,
“You do not bring the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.” Ex. 20:7
This is a very serious matter and can be more than just swearing by the Name. If we say we are Yahuah’s but don’t walk with His character, we display His name unrighteously.
Abraham and Sarah both had their names changed, as well as Jacob. Formerly both Abram and Sarai's names lacked the Hebrew letter hey ( ה ), as depicted below:
Abram – meaning: exalted father
אכרם – aleph, bet, resh, and mem
Sarai – meaning: princess
שרי – shin, resh, and yod
But then, when Yahuah makes a covenant with Abram (in Genesis 17), He changes both their names, adding one letter to their names:
Abraham – meaning: father of many
אכרהם – aleph, bet, resh, hey, and mem
Sarah – meaning: noblewoman
שריה – shin, resh, yod, and hey
The letter added, the letter hey, means revelation or sometimes breath. This letter also makes up half of Yahuah’s Name (יהוה), so you could say, Yahuah was adding to their names, their whole being, a piece of His name or His breath! It’s just so cool!
Jacob’s name, meaning “supplanter,” (or someone who wrongfully seizes something belonging to another) was changed in Genesis 32. It was changed to Israel, meaning “to strive and overcome.” Jacob’s name change was almost forced if you know what I mean, but Israel still has a better meaning.
What does your name mean? Does it reflect your character? Hebrew letters have two meanings. For example, the Hebrew letter mem is pictured as water but can mean peace or chaos. Perhaps if your name means something not so good, you can walk out the opposite characteristic.
Shalom!
JS