A Name with the Power to Protect
Every parent wants the best for their newborn baby. Since the dawn of time parents have tried to safeguard their children by requesting help from God above. In ancient Israel, it was very common for parents to give their child a name that included one of the two names of the God of Israel: YHWH (יהוה) or El (אל). Israelites believed that God’s name would protect the child from danger throughout their life.
Unpacking the Meaning of Names
Many of the most common names we use today are ancient Hebrew names that contain the name of the God of Israel. Here are a few examples:
- Michael: Mikhael Mi (מי) + Ka-El (כאל) - “Who is like God?”
- Gabriel: Gavriel - Gavar (גבר) + El (אל) - “God is mighty”
- Elizabeth: Elisheva - Eli (אלי) + Sheva (שבע) - "Pledged to my God"
- Zachary: Zekhariah - Zechar (זכר) + Yah (יה) – “The Lord has remembered”
- John: Yokhanan – Yah (יו) + Hanan (חנן) – “The Lord is gracious”
- Joseph: Yosef – Yo (יו) + Sef (סף) – “The Lord will increase”
Get Beneath the Surface of the Bible
An abundance of common names used around the world today are mini-Hebrew prayers. Discovering the power of God hiding within these commonplace names is truly riveting. You will be amazed at how much Scripture you will understand once you can read Hebrew. Enroll in our online Biblical Hebrew course today and prepare yourself to be astonished.