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Refreshment in Refuge

    by Gina Burgess

What is in a name?
Date Posted: June 11, 2023

The Hebrew propensity for character analysis through a person's name is indicated by God when He changed Abram's name to Abraham, and Sarai to Sarah. Joshua's name was originally Hosea before Moses laid hands on him and changed it to Joshua. When we study the lineage of Jesus closely in both Matthew and in Luke we see there are four women mentioned -- Rahab, Tamar, Bathsheba, and Ruth.

For the Hebrews, the listing of lineage was almost like telling a story, but also the lineage reveals God's promise. I think God revealed Himself as much as He trusted mankind to know... a little at a time, especially since Adam rejected Him for Eve.

I have sort of recreated a list I saw years ago concerning the lineage of Jesus (Yeshua). If you read down the list, the meanings create a sentence about God's promises finally ending with our Savior. You can see God’s hand in the naming of babies down through the ages. Interesting to note how these names spanning more than a millennium spell out the failings of mankind, and how God promised to reconcile us to Himself.

Please note that Mary's lineage is given in Luke, chapter 3; and Joseph's lineage is written in Matthew chapter 1.

Adam - Red Earth

Seth - appointed, substitute

Enos - mortal man

Cainan - possession

Mahaleel - praise of God

Jared - descent

Enoch - initiated

Methuselah - man of the dart (he dies and the flood is sent)

Lamech - strikerdown, wild man

Noah - rest

Shem - Name; Ham - warm and hot, Japheth – wide-spreading

Arphaxad - son of Shem

Salah - sprout

Eber - beyond

Peleg - division

Reu - behold a son!

Serug - branch

Nahor - snorting, snore, nostril

Terah - wanderer, loiterer

Abram - exalted father, Sarai - my princess

Isaac - laughter

Jacob - heel-grabber, cause to stumble, Esau - red

Israel - The prince that prevails with God

Judah - I will praise—by Tamar – palm tree

Perez - breach

Hezron - surrounded by a wall

Aram - high

Aminadab - one of the Prince's people

Nahshon - enchanter

Salmon – garment—married Rahab-proud

Boaz – fleetness—married Ruth-friend

Obed - serving

Jesse - wealthy

David - well beloved– married Bathsheba – daughter of an oath

This is where the lineage branches between the two sons of David: Solomon and Nathan. Joseph descends from Solomon, and Mary descends from Nathan. (I do not know why Joseph is listed as the son of Heli, Luke does say “supposed”.)

Mary’s Branch

Nathan - giver

Mattatha - gift of Jehovah

Menan - numbered; rewarded; prepared

Melea - supplying; supplied

Eliakim - raised up by God

Jonan - grace of God

Joseph - increase

Judah - praised, celebrated

Simeon - heard

Levi - joined

Matthat - gift of God

Jorim - whom Jehovah has exalted

Eliezar - God is his help

Joses- exalted

Er - watchful

Elmodam - measure

Cosam - diviner

Addi - ornament

Melchi - my king my counselor

Neriah - Jehovah is my lamp

Shealtiel - asked of God

Zerubbabel – seed of Babylon, prince of Judah

Rhesa – head

Joannas – perhaps a derivative of Johanan – gift of God

Judah – praised, celebrated

Joseph – increase

Shimei – renowned

Mattathias – gift of Jehovah

Maath – small

Naggai – illuminating

Esli – near me; he who separates

Nahum – consolation

Amos – burden

Mattathias – gift of Jehovah

Joseph – increase

Janna – flourishing

Melchi – my king, my counselor

Levi – joined

Matthat – gift of God

Heli – ascending

Mary – rebellion

Jesus - Savior, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Emmanuel, Lamb of God, Son of Man, I AM...

Joseph’s Branch

Solomon – peaceful

Rehoboam - enlarger of the people

Abijah - my father is Jehovah

Asa - physician or cure

Uzziah - strength of Jehovah

Jotham - Jehovah is upright

Ahaz - possessor

Hezekiah - the might of Jehovah

Manasseh - forgetting

Amon - the mysterious

Josiah - whom Jehovah heals

Jehoiahchem - whom Jehovah has appointed

Shealtiel - asked of God

Zerubbabel – seed of Babylon, Prince of Judah

Abiud - father of praise

Eliakim-raised up by God

Azor - a helper

Sadoc - Just

Achim - the Lord will establish

Eliud - God his praise

Eleazar - help of God

Matthan - gift

Jacob - heel-grabber, supplanter

Joseph - increase

Jesus - Savior, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Emmanuel, Lamb of God, Son of Man, I AM...

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Biography Information:

Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.

She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.

If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon

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