Lastly, with regard to the Biblical names of in dividuals belonging to the less eminent nations with which the Israelites were surrounded, such as the Edomites, Plicenicians, Damascenes, etc., their formation indeed is generally very like that of the Hebrew names, inasmuch as all these na tions spoke a Semitic language; but the materials of which they are formed are so different, that one can almost recognize these foreign nations by their mere names. Thus names like Hadad, Ben hadad, Hadad-ezer, are quite strange to the Israel ites, and refer to the tribes to the east of Pales tine, where a god named Iladad was worshiped.
G. H. A. v. E.
4. Words Most Frequently Compounded.
There are some words which appear more fre quently in compounds of proper narnes than oth ers, and to which we will refer in passing. Beer means "well" (Beersheba) "well of the oath" (Gen. xxi :31) ; I3eth means "house" (Bethlehem, ''house of bread") ; En means "fountain" (En-gedi, "fountain of the kid") ; El means "God" (Samuel "asked of God," I Sam. i :20 ; Elisha, "God is sal vation"). On the other hand, Bath means "daugh ter" (Bathsheba), while Ben and Bar mean "son" (Benjamin, Barjonas).
5. Name of God. The Name of God was held in a peculiar reverence. To such an extent of superstition is this carried that the modern Jews never pronounce the word "Jehovah," it be ing considered too sacred. In reading the Old Testament they substitute "Adonai" for it. They misunderstand the passage in Lev. xxiv :16, which forbids the cursing use of "Jehovah," as forbid ding the mere naming. An abuse of the name of God is expressly forbidden in the Decalogue (Exod. xx :7 ; Lev. xix :t2). In the New Testa ment miracles are performcd in the name of Jesus (Acts iii :6 ; iv :to), and they who are baptized are baptized in the name of the Trinity (Matt. xxviii :19).
The two special terms used for God by the He brevvs were "Elohim" and "Jehovah" (or "Ja vch"). The first contains an allusion to majesty and power ; the second refers to God's absolute existence. his eternity and nnchangeableness, and means "I am" Exod. :14). God had not been known by this name to Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob (Exod. vi :3).
6. Names of Christ. The many names used of our Lord are all highly significant. Emmanuel (-God with us") points to his incarnation ; Jesus ("Savior") to his mission of salvation ; Christ ("Anointed") to his appointment as the promised Messiah ; Son of Man to his humility ; Son of God to his divine origin and character. Amongst the many other names and titles of Christ are Shiloh (Gen. xl :to), the Wonderful, etc. (Is. ix :6), Prophet, High Priest, King, the Word (John i etc.). (Schaff, Bib. Dict.) (See article on JESUS CHRIST ; JESUS ; GOD.) 7. Names in General. In general the names of men denote: (0 That particular designation by which they are usually called ; (2) The persons themselves (Luke x :2o; Rev. iii:4; xiii:8) ; (3) Reputation, good or evil (Dent. xxii :14 ; Prov.
xxii :1) ; (4) Honor, glory, renown (Dent. xxvi 19; 2 Chr011. XXVi :8, 15 ; Zeph. iii :2o) ; (5) MCIT1 ory or remembrance (Dent. xxix :2o) ; (6) Pos terity, which keeps up one's name or renown (Dent. xxv :7 ; Is. lxvi :22).
FiguratiVe. " Name," when ascribed to God or Christ, comprehends whatever he makes him self known by. The nanze of God signifies : (I) himself ( Ps. xxix :2 ; xxxiv :3 ; lxi :5) ; (2) his titles (Exod. :13, ; vi :3) ; (3) his attributes or properties (Exod. xxxiii :t9; xxxiv :6, 7; (4) his word (Ps. v :IT ; Acts ix :15) ; (5) his worship and service (I Kings v :5 ; Mal. i :6) ; (6) his will and purpose concerning our salvation, and his grace and mercy therein displayed (Ps. xxii :22 ; John xvii :6. 26) ; (7) his power. help, and favor able assistance (I Sam. xvii :45; Ps. xx :I. 7) ; (8) his wisdom, power, and goodness, displayed in the works of creation and providence (Ps. viii :1, 9) ; (9) his authority, commission (Mic. v :4) ; (to) his honor, glory, and renown (Ps. lxxvi The name of Chrzst denotes: (I) himself, what he really is, Wonderful, mighty God, God with us (Is. vii :14; ix :6) ; (2) his titles, as Savior, Prophet, Priest, King, etc. (Matt. i :21 ; Rev. xix: 16) ; (3) his authority and commission (Matt. vii: 22 ; Acts iv:7) ; (4) his word and gospel, and the profession thereof (Matt. x :22; xix :29; Acts ix : 15; Rev. ii :13) ; (5) his exaltation to the highest honor, power and glory, as our Mediator (Phil. ii :9, to).
Other Uses. God's "name" is in Christ ; his nature and authority are in him ; he has sent him to be our Redeemer ; and by his execution of his office is his honor chiefly exalted (Exod. xxiii: 21). To be baptized "in the name" of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or of Jesus, is to be baptized by the warrant and authority, and into the pro fession, faith, and obedience of these divine per sons, as one God (Matt. xxviii :19; Acts xix :5). To trust or believe "in the name of God" or "Christ," is to credit his word, and rely on his perfections, titles, and relations, as a certain ground of our receiving all blessings and salvation from him (John iii :18). To "nanze the name of Christ," is openly to profess that we are his, and to regard his honor and service (2 Tim. ii :19). The "new name" that Christ gives, and writes on his people, is the "redeemed of the Lord," the "righteousness of God in him," etc., which an swers to their new covenant state, and their new nature ; and in heaven their character is made gloriously to appear (Rev. ii :17; comp. Is. lxi :6). God's changing the "name of his church" denotes his changing her condition from distress and grief, to happiness and joy (Is. lxii :3, 4). The saints pray and do all "in the name of Chrise' when they do it in the faith of his promise, in obedience to his command, and with a total dependence on his righteousness and intercession for acceptance (John xiv :13 ; Col. iii :17).