The lexical/dictionary meaning of the word "name" in the Bible

[tonychanyt]

Leviticus 22:

32 Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who made you holy

John 14:

13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Acts 4:

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

The word "name" could mean

1. the label of a person, i.e., the spelling of a person's name, e.g., "YHWH"
2. the person's character, Lev 22:32 above
3. the person's authority, Jn 14:13, Jn 17:11.
4. the person's title, e.g., Immanuel
5. the person's reputation, e.g., Jacob's name means supplanter
6. even the person himself, Acts 4:13.

In the Bible, the word "name" does not usually refer to the label (meaning #1).

Even today, we accept these usages:

She was beginning to make a name (reputation) for herself as a portrait photographer.

They kill in the name (authority) of religion.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

Leviticus 22:


John 14:


Acts 4:


The word "name" could mean

1. the label of a person, i.e., the spelling of a person's name, e.g., "YHWH"
2. the person's character, Lev 22:32 above
3. the person's authority, Jn 14:13, Jn 17:11.
4. the person's title, e.g., Immanuel
5. the person's reputation, e.g., Jacob's name means supplanter
6. even the person himself, Acts 4:13.

In the Bible, the word "name" does not usually refer to the label (meaning #1).

Even today, we accept these usages:

She was beginning to make a name (reputation) for herself as a portrait photographer.

They kill in the name (authority) of religion.

True, but it's also unfortunately true that most believers from a non-Jewish background have forgotten about the very personal name of God. Or maybe think that 'Jesus' is the new personal name for God ...

These days many read the passage on the triumphal entry of Yeshua in Jerusalem, for which both Yeshua and the crowd quote from Psalm 118:26-29:

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of YHWH;
We have blessed you from the house of YHWH.
YHWH is God, and He has given us light;
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I exalt You.
Give thanks to YHWH, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness endures forever.

Yeshua as Messiah comes in the name of YHWH ... I think even the sacrifice reference can be linked to the Messiah from a NT perspective.

Without recognising personal names we get mixed-up theology.