It's All In A Name

How do you spell your last name?

Published on May 14, 2005 By preacherman In History

In the book of Daniel we have the historical account of where the nation Israel was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon. In the first seven verses of this account we are told that “children in whom was no blemish, but well favored and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge and understanding science” were selected, and that their names were change form Hebrew names to Babylonian names.
Hebrew Babylon
Daniel Beltershazzar
Hananiah Shadrach
Mishael Meshach
Azariah Abednego

Does this seem strange and why do you think this was a priority?

preacherman

Comments

Gideon MacLeish

on May 14, 2005

My personal belief is that a name is the first prophecy a parent is given about their child (to those who don't believe in such things...don't bother arguing me on this BELIEF! It will only serve to make me think less of you!); my (severely limited) understanding of Middle Eastern culture is that names are similarly regarded as being sacred. Therefore, a Hebrew name could be construed as being offensive to Babylonians, and vice versa.

There are some cultures in the world where Christian converts from other faiths change their names. I suppose there's a similar thought there.

Good question.

preacherman

on May 14, 2005

Thanks for responding Gideon..
It is interesting that the Hebrew names all had reference to Jehovah and their new Babyalonian names carried refernces to hte gods of Babylon.

Therefore, a Hebrew name could be construed as being offensive to Babylonians, and vice versa.

preach

aeryck

on May 14, 2005

Good Evening Preach, it is 10pm. I have this little book by Chuck Missler which deals very interestingly with names and how their meanings carry a message about them, when linked together they carry a message. In Hebrew: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. In English: Man, appointed, Mortal, Sorrow, The Blessed of God, Shall come down, Teaching, His death shall bring, the despairing, rest, or comfort. Expressed in a sentence.

"Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the ) despairing rest."

God had hidden his plan of redemption, in the genealogy in Genesis. Chuck Missler, says : 'You will never convince me that a group of Jewish rabbis deliberately contrived to hide a summary of the Christian Gospel right here in genealogy within their venerated Torah!'

preacherman

on May 14, 2005

Greetings my brother. True it is...

"Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the ) despairing rest."

I think Gideon is on target with the names associated with Jehovah bing offensive to the Babylonians, hence give them a name whereby they testified of the false gods of Babylon.

I kind of think that is the picture today, the world is offended by the name of Christ, so it gives a lot of energy in conforming the believer to the image of the world, there fore the need for the exhotation of Romans 12:2.

Do ya'll see it that way? It appears the world is conforming the church (the organiztion) to the world instead of the church being transformed by the renewing of their minds.

preacherman

bakerstreet

on May 14, 2005

As a conquered people, Israel was a threat to Babylon. If they were assimilated, intermarried, and forgot their culture they would cease to be "different", no longer see themselves as God's chosen people, and no longer see themselves as conquered Hebrews.

preacherman

on May 14, 2005

Greetings Baker

If they were assimilated, intermarried, and forgot their culture they would cease to be "different", no longer see themselves as God's chosen people,

Do you see this as being true, modern day for the people (believers) of God. Do you think there are attempts by the world to cause the believer to think what and why the world tinks? Do you there should be a "difference" in the believer and the unbeliever? Maybe if the beliver assimilates in to the philosophy of the society, intermarries with its doctrine and forgets the teaching of God's word, we will not be the witness God intends for us to be?

It is kind'a like the world changing our name, eh?

preacherman

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