Name Changes in the Bible

[Keith]

I have often wondered why it doesn't appear that God changes people's names today, like He renamed different people in the Bible, like Paul and Abraham.

Do you think He still does this? What do you think of people changing their own names? I must admit, I've often considered it.

[Constant]

What would you change your name to? I thought of it before but I could never go through with it.

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

I've changed my name. The name I am known by in chat, on the internet is NOT my given name. Faithie is a name I belive that God has allowed me to honour Him by using Faithie. I feel that I give God the glory by saying I am a Woman of Faith.

Being a woman of Faith means a lot of things. Here are a few I can think of, off the top of my motherly head.

I must be a woman who is strong in her faith.

I must be a woman of endurance.

I must be a woman of INTEGRITY.

I must be a woman of honour.

I must be a woman WHO LOVES JESUS.

Just a few that I thought of on the spot.

YSIC

Faithie

[Botz]

Keith...

I have often wondered why it doesn't appear that God changes people's names today, like He renamed different people in the Bible, like Paul and Abraham.

Hiya Keith...what do you think G-d changed Pauls name from?

Most of us would choose a name that commended/described us in our character,service or gifting...when G-d changed peoples names...or even chose their names in the first place...there was a prophetic content.

We might not be so taken with what G-d might call us if we asked Him.

Many Believers seek the L-rd and prayerfully give names to their children.

Keith is a gud auld Scottish name derived from a word for a wood...and many Scottish Earls held the name...so you may have a touch of the blue blood coursing through your veins.

[nebula]

I've heard that in Hebrew culture, it was not uncommon to change a person's name to better suit the person - as the meaning of names was important to them (notice how often it is said that , "He named his son [such-n-such] because. . . .").

I've heard that it might be possible that the scholars who recorded the Old Testament historical books might have changed some people's names in the recording, and that was not an uncommon cultural practice to remember people by a different name than what was given them at birth.

As for Paul, though, I had understood that he had just started going by the Greco-Roman variation of his name since he was ministering so much to the Gentiles.

[Keith]

I don't know what I would change my name to. I would prefer it to come from God, if it were to happen. (I am a writer, however, and do plan to use a pen name to publish under.)

It was just something I was thinking about when I had a dream that I had to enter the witness relocation program and start a new life! LOL

Once I started thinking about it though, it made sense to me that I "should" have a new name. For two reasons...

1) My name was an accident. My parents (who never wanted me) named me "Heath". The birth certificate came out with "Keith" and my parents didn't bother to correct it.

2) I'm a completely different person than I used to be. Many times when I hear someone call my name I think, "Keith is dead. I'm not Keith anymore." I don't know why I think that, but it's been something in my thoughts for awhile. I never used to.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not down, depressed or hate my name or anything! I'm actually a very happy person! I just can't seem to shake the changing my name thing...

Botz, you're right. I learned when I was younger that "Keith" is a "Scottish place name that means 'woody', 'hilly', 'windy' (long I, thank you!) and 'narrow''. Not bad for someone who is IRISH! lol

[nebula]

2)  I'm a completely different person than I used to be.  Many times when I hear someone call my name I think, "Keith is dead.  I'm not Keith anymore."  I don't know why I think that, but it's been something in my thoughts for awhile.  I never used to.

Well, Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law) changed her own name (although for opposite reasons).

[Keith]

I've heard that in Hebrew culture, it was not uncommon to change a person's name to better suit the person - as the meaning of names was important to them (notice how often it is said that , "He named his son [such-n-such] because. . . .").

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is what I mean, Nebula. I'd like to change my name to better suit who I am today. As a writer, it always takes me weeks to name my characters and stories. Shoot, it takes me forever to name my pets! lol

I know this isn't a big, earth-shattering issue in life! If my name never changes, I will still be me, happy and content. I just wanted to get some feedback from family. I've never heard anyone discuss this issue before.

[nebula]

Well, can't say that I've ever heard anyone officially/ legally change their name before . . .

Well, except a certain rock star . . . before he became a Christian!

Personally, my thoughts are - well, it is Biblical, or at least it was a Biblical practice.

I fit is really on your heart to do so, I don't see why not.

But, that's me, and I don't know you on a face-to-face level and have to get used to calling you by something else (and I've gotten used to Board members changing their usernames).

[UndecidedFrog]

This is just my opinion. You don't have to accept it if you dislike it. DISCLAIMER: I am not a christian.

Dear nebula,

You said:

Well, except a certain rock star . . . before he became a Christian! 

Just to satisfy my curiosity, who is this rock star that changed his name before he became a christian? Prince...the artist represented by a funny symbol who was formerly known as Prince...or Prince, the second coming?

Regards,

UndecidedFrog