It is quite common in the Bible for individuals to be known by more than one name. Here are some of the main reasons this occurs:
Given a new name by God
Sometimes God gives people new names to signify a new calling or mission in their lives. For example:
– Abram’s name was changed to Abraham when God established his covenant with him (Genesis 17:5). Abraham means “father of many nations.”
– Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah when she was blessed with the promise of bearing Abraham’s son (Genesis 17:15). Sarah means “princess.”
– Simon was given the name Peter by Jesus, indicating his role as the rock upon which the church would be built (John 1:42). Peter means “rock.”
God-given name changes in the Bible often coincide with a new phase in the person’s life and calling. The new name reflects their new identity and relationship with God.
Given different names at birth
It was common in biblical times for parents to give their child two names at birth. Sometimes one name was used more commonly than the other. For example:
– Jacob’s other name was Israel, given to him by God after wrestling with an angel (Genesis 32:28). His descendants became known as the “children of Israel.”
– Solomon’s other name was Jedidiah, meaning “loved by the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:25). But he was more commonly known as Solomon.
– Jesus was referred to as Jesus, but his birth name given by his parents was Yeshua (or Joshua/Yehoshua), meaning “Yahweh is salvation” (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21).
Having two names allowed people greater flexibility in how they were addressed. The second name was like a title that could reflect special meaning.
Given different names in different languages
Individuals who traveled between different cultures were sometimes known by a different name in each language. For example:
– Daniel and his friends received Babylonian names when they were taken into exile – Daniel became Belteshazzar, Hananiah became Shadrach, Mishael became Meshach, and Azariah became Abednego (Daniel 1:6-7). This assimilated them into Babylonian culture.
– The apostle Paul was born with the Jewish name Saul, but used his Roman name Paul when ministering to Gentiles in Greek-speaking regions (Acts 13:9).
– Jesus is translated as “Yehoshua” or “Yeshua” in Hebrew, “Iesous” in Greek, and “Iesus” in Latin.
Adopting additional names allowed individuals to connect better with people from other language groups they encountered.
Given an honorary title or nickname
It was also common for people to acquire informal nicknames or honorary titles based on their character, appearance, or exploits. For example:
– Jacob’s brother Esau was called Edom, meaning “red”, for his reddish hair (Genesis 25:30).
– James and John were dubbed Boanerges, meaning “sons of thunder”, by Jesus for their impulsiveness (Mark 3:17).
– Simon was called Simon the Zealot to distinguish him from Simon Peter (Luke 6:15).
– Joseph was nicknamed Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement”, for his generosity (Acts 4:36).
These descriptive nicknames helped distinguish people with common names. The informal titles highlighted personal traits or deeds the person became known for.
Took the name of an ancestor
Taking on the name of an illustrious ancestor was seen as honoring one’s family heritage. For example:
– Jotham and Ahaz were also known as Joash – the name of a famous king of Judah (2 Kings 15-16).
– Levi, son of Melki, was called Matthew in the New Testament. This identified him with the apostle Matthew Levi and his father Alphaeus (Mark 2:14).
– Jerubbaal was a surname given to Gideon. It referenced the altar his father Joash built to Baal (Judges 6:32).
Adopting a family name connected individuals to the famous deeds and reputations of their ancestors. This enhanced their authority and influence.
Used different throne names as kings
Kings would often adopt a new royal name or throne name upon ascending to the throne. For example:
– Solomon was also known as Jedidiah (2 Samuel 12:25).
– Eliakim changed his name to Jehoiakim when he became king of Judah (2 Kings 23:34).
– Mattaniah took the name Zedekiah when he was installed as king by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:17).
The new throne name represented the king’s new status and allowed him to shape his royal identity and reputation separately from his personal history.
Referred to by different names after their death
After their death, biblical figures were sometimes referred to with variant names or titles that highlighted their legacy. For example:
– Abraham was referred to as “the Hebrew” (Genesis 14:13)
– Joseph was referred to as “the governor over the land” after becoming vizier of Egypt (Genesis 42:6).
– David was called “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1).
– Jesus was referred to with titles like “King of Kings”, “Lord of Lords”, and “Lamb of God” after his resurrection.
These names encapsulated how the person was remembered based on their greatest deeds and accomplishments during their lifetime.
Used different spellings of the same name
Due to language differences, names were sometimes spelled differently across Old Testament and New Testament authors, or in English translations. For example:
– Moses/Moshe
– Solomon/Shlomo
– Jeremiah/Yirmeyahu
– John/Yochanan
– Jesus/Yeshua
These spelling variants refer to the same person but simply reflect differences in spelling conventions between languages. The name is essentially the same.
Summary
In summary, individuals in the Bible frequently had multiple names due to:
– God giving them a new name
– Being given two names at birth
– Needing different names in different cultures
– Acquiring informal nicknames or titles
– Taking the name of an ancestor
– Adopting a new royal name as king
– Being referred to by different names after their death
– Languages having different spelling conventions
The use of multiple names allowed flexibility in addressing people in new circumstances and encapsulated the evolution of their reputation and legacy. The Bible provides many examples of God shaping a person’s identity and future by giving them a new name.