What is really in a name? And, does it matter?
In western society, today a name is a word or set of words by which a person or something is known, addressed, or referred to ... much like a number in the army.
Think about it.
Beyond this definition of a name there is hardly any use for a name. It certainly has no spiritual or prophetic quality. Even when filling out forms you need the additional identification of your identification or social security number.
Well, is it the same in in other cultures?
Not quite!
In South Africa as an example, traditional African names all have a distinct meaning.
Ubuhle means beauty or loveliness, Jabulile means be cheerful, Thabitha means delight, Thando means love. Usually the name is given because it reminds the family of a certain event or situation or family member during the birth of the child.
We find the same situation in the older cultures around the world, including that of the Hebrew and Semite cultures.
Words have meaning
In God's Word (the Bible) names are all there for a specific reason. They all carry a certain meaning and prophecy (spiritual), whether positive or negative that in itself have the ability to manifest physically.
You'd think that man would choose better when God says I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live Deu 30:19, that man would catch onto this and take heed knowing that there is some awesome benefit and blessing in it, especially when it comes to name-giving. Off cause the Blessing part of it was fulfilled years later in Jesus ... the very reason God says choose life.
How does it work?
Each time a person's names is called out or referred to, it:
- confirms and attests to the very character and nature of the person;
- prophetically determines and declares the identity and destiny of the person in the spirit;
- attests to the heritage and inheritance of the person;
- attests what the person is associated or affiliated with;
- prophetically announces and makes a declaration into the future of the person.
Other than in the western world (mostly Latin and Greek based) where letters of the alphabet have (1)form and (2)sound only, in the Hebrew letters of the alephbeth we find (1)form and (2)sound as well as (3)meaning and an associated (4)pictograph or word-picture-message (reference).
Let's look at a practical example.
Take for instance the sons of Ruth and Elimelech. They were called Mahlon (sickly) and Chilion (destruction). Their names were a prophetic declaration. And what happened? They both died during the family's tenure in Moab.
The wise Solomon said Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Pro 18:21
Words have power
Our words, like that of God, have creative and destructive power in them!
This is wonderfully illustrated in the names of the prophets of God (Elohim, YHVH, Yah). They all carried a name that would identify very specifically who they were and what they stood for - a public declaration.
When Elijah defeated the 400 Baal prophets no one had to wonder or guess who he was or who the God was who answered with fire.
The answer was beautifully captured in his name - Eli-YAH (El- God or Elohim is Yahweh)! The God YAHweh answered with fire from heaven!
The Word in their names
We find the same situation with many faithful prophets. Take for instance:
- Nehemiah - or NehimaYah - consolation in Yah
- Isaiah - or IsaiYah - saved by Yah
- Jeremiah - or JeremiYah - raised up by Yah
- Ezekiel - or EzekiEl - strengthened by Elohim (God of Israel -YHVH)
- Daniel - or DaniEl - Judged by Elohim
- Hosea - or HoseYah - Delivered by Yah
- Zachariah - ZachariYah - Remembered by Yah
- Micah - or MicYah - Who is like Yah
- Zephaniah - or ZephaniaYah - Hidden by Yah
A way with words
The sequence of words and names as used in the Bible is equally important and always sheds light on the bigger picture.
One such example is the Gospel-in-Genesis? It is amazing how the Word of God explains itself and how every detail points to Jesus. In Genesis 5 God's Word very curiously mentions the names of the descendants of Adam through Seth in a specific order.
Have you noticed how?
It mentions the name of the first descendant only and then in every instance continues by mentioning that the person also begot other sons and daughters, but without mentioning the names of the successive descendants. It continues in this fashion from Adam up to Noah. And it is done for a reason!See what happens when we place the names in sequence.
Starting at Adam right through to Noah a sentence is formed that spells out God's ultimate redemption plan (prophetically onto Jesus, Yah'shua). It reads:
Man appointed mortal place, the blessed Elohim descend dedicated as man stretched out to give powerful peace - [Adam (man) Seth (appointed) Enos (mortal) Kenan (place) Mahalaleel (the blessed Elohim) Jared (descent) Enoch (dedicate) Methuselah (man stretched out) Lamech (Powerful) Noah (Rest)]
What about Daniel?
All of this led me to think that there must be something in the name Daniel, the name I also carry.
There must be something beyond just God be my Judge or Judged of God.
What could it be?
And this is where it got interesting ...
You see, the name Daniel or דניּאל is a composite of two Hebrew words, Elohim (or El - אל) and Dan (- דניּ).
The word Elohim is well known and understood. Elohim within the context of the Hebrew (and Christian) is God and very specifically refers to the only One and True God, YHVH (Yahweh) and the fullness of the Godhead.
Dan דניּ, the word for Judge I was, however, less familiar with. Even the meaning thereof was a little tainted in my mind.
My discovery, as the Spirit of God led me, was mind-blowing.
Our western minds and western (Greco-Roman) definitions for the word judge are extremely restrictive, limiting and one-sided compared to the actual Hebrew meaning of the word.
In Hebrew two main words for the noun and verb judge exist:
- dûn or דּוּן with the root word 'âdôn or אדן is to rule or judge as sovereign and master. It is also the root word for Adoni or Lord from where Dan or דניּ is derived;
- shâphaṭ or שׁפט means to pronounce sentence for or against; by implication to vindicate or punish; by extension to govern; passively to litigate (literally or figuratively); deliver, avenge, contend, defend, execute, see to the needs, plead, reason, rule, the work that the sovereign does; and
And all of this means what?
In the times when Israel occupied the promised land, long before they had kings ruling over them, the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies Jdg 2:18.
The word for these judges is shâphaṭ or שׁפט and the context here, like any other place where the Hebrew language is used, is extremely important if we were to fully comprehend the meaning of what a judge is.
Where-as the western mind sees a judge as a public officer appointed to decide cases in a law court (that is a person of authority over life and death, the strict executioner of justice, the ruler of the law or a very strict older person whose word is law), the Hebrew is much more explanatory.
The Hebrew understanding of a judge is descriptive, practical and appropriate to circumstances. In the Hebrew mind a judge is the person who first of all delivers and sees to the needs of the needy, who defends and executes justice by retaliation against the enemy. He is the one who pleads the case of the needy and oppressed and who leads in battle to normalize the circumstances for the needy and oppressed, the sick and afflicted.
Words written in the shadows
In all a judge WAS A SHADOW OF WHAT WAS TO COME - THE PERFECT JUST JUDGE - JESUS (YAH'SHUA), the One who came to deliver and save the needy and hungry, the One who defends the ones that He Himself justified and made righteous by His Blood, the Deliverer of the oppressed and afflicted, the ones who are in great need of Fatherly love and protection and provision!
HalleluYah!
How do I react to this?
Well, that makes it an honour to carry this name.
It means that God be my Judge - God be my Deliverer, my Savior, my Defender, my Provider, my Healer, my Protector, my Leader in battle to normalize my situation according to His Standard of normal, which is perfect peace and wholeness.
Daniel (דניּאל), God be my Judge.
The verdict of my Judge is out.
It says I have been made fully righteous by the blood of the Lamb and I am a co-heir in the Kingdom of my Father!
But, is there a picture?
The word-picture or pictograph of the name דניּאל looking at the ancient Hebrew alephbeth characters, gives even more glory onto Jesus.
It literally says The Door (or pathway) of Life by the Leader (Elohim) ushered!
Wow! The One Who walks in front!
Loaded, man!
Loaded!
Amen!
Glory to Jesus!
It is ALL about HIM!!!
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son ... Joh 5:22
And what did the Son say?
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. Joh 12:47
And we ...
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Act 10:42