Notable Names

Learning the dual names of Scripture superstars

08/24/2020

John 1:45-51 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

One of the more frustrating things – but also one of the more fascinating things – about reading the Bible is when the same person has more than one name. But this shouldn’t be too off-putting since we deal with dual names all the time, even today. Growing up at home my parents called me a “pet name,” it was “Jolly” even though my “public name” is “John.” My brother’s pet name was “Polly” while his public name was “Paul.” My sister’s pet name was “Dolly” but her public name was “Mary.” All the three children’s names rhymed: Polly, Jolly, Dolly. Wasn’t that so clever of my parents? So, too, in Scriptures. Some of the most prominent personages in the Bible have at least two names, usually from different languages. And if you can learn those two names, reading the Bible will be far less frustrating and much more fascinating and profitable.

Here’s a list of some of the more notable names in the Bible. Today’s feast is of St. Bartholomew, one of the 12 apostles. But today’s gospel reading highlights Nathaniel. Can you guess why? That right: Bartholomew and Nathaniel are two names for the same apostle. Nathaniel was his Hebrew name, Bartholomeo was his Latin name. See, isn’t the Scriptures starting to feel a little less frustrating and a tad more fascinating just by knowing that?

Now, let’s back up to the beginning of the Bible and continue more chronologically. In Gen. 17:5, God says to Abram: “I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.” In the case of Abraham, both his names are from Hebrew.

The next notable name change occurs with Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. In Gen. 31, Jacob wrestles all night with one of the archangels, Peniel,” and the duel ends up a draw; neither wins. Afterward, the archangel says: “You shall no longer be named Jacob, but Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and prevailed” (Gen. 32: 29). When your duel with an archangel is a draw, you can count that as a win! The name Israel literally means “one who wrestles with God,” and it’s an apt name for the whole people of Israel.

Jumping ahead about 800 years, we find that King David and Bathsheba name their baby boy, “Solomon,” which means “peace” like the word “Shalom.” But the prophet Nathan gave him the name “Jedidiah,” which means “beloved of God.” And now you know what Jed Clampett’s name really means, and everyone should have more respect for hillbillies, especially if they’re from Arkansas.

Almost 500 years later, in the 6th century B.C., we arrive at the Babylonian Captivity, and the daring and dreaming youth named Daniel. Because the Jews are in Babylon, some are given Babylonian names. We read in Daniel: “The chief chamberlain changed their names: Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshach, and Azariah to Abednego.” There was a religion reason for the name change. The Hebrew names mentioned their devotion to God, Yahweh. But the Babylonian names signified that the Babylonian deity had power over the Jews by changing their names.

Those are some notable name changes in the Old Testament. What about in the New Testament? We have already mentioned how Nathaniel and Bartholomew are two names for the same apostle. The Sunday gospel from Matthew 16 described how Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, which is a Latin name meaning “rock.” Thus Jesus would build his Church on the rock of Peter’s personality and profession of faith. Another apostle who has two names is Matthew, who is also called Levi. In Mk. 2:14, we read: “As Jesus passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at his customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. In the parallel text in Matthew 9:9, this tax collector is referred to as Matthew and not Levi. Levi is the Hebrew name and Mattheus is the Latin name.

Folks, I know all these names can be a nuisance when we read the Bible. But keeping them in mind might help the Scriptures make more sense. But don’t worry, when we get to heaven, God will give us a new name and we can forget all our earthly epithets. Rev. 2:17 states: “I shall also give a white stone upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.” That is, God will finally reveal to us our new name, and our deepest identity. I just pray that it is not Jolly, Polly or Dolly.

Praised be Jesus Christ!