Did You Know {3}

The dictionary has it that a “name” is “any word” or “title” which identifies a person or thing. Truly, a Jewish/Biblical name have a definite significance at once noted when the name is heard. Most importantly, the word “name”often signifies the nature of the being named – EXO. 34:5; JN. 17:16 or his authority – MT. 28:19; ACTS 3:6. When the Holy Scriptures urge Christians to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:…..”, it is understood that it’s not just any name, but the Father of Jesus Christ, and the Son of the Father, and the Holy Ghost respectively, the three Persons of the Divine Trinity - MT. 28:19 {KJV}. The most elementary Bible student easily relates these three Persons with these names. Adam, the first human being on earth did the first naming ceremony when he “called his wife’s name Eve because she was the mother of all living” - GEN. 3:20 {NIV}. The Bible is definite and final that Mary “shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” - MT. 1:21; LK. 1:31 {KJV}. Personal names might suggest plants or animals, such as Tamar [palm}, Susanna {lily} or Rachel {ewe}. Names have followed the character of the bearer, such as Jacob {supplanter},and Peter, {a fragment of a rock}.

They might reflect family relationships, vocations, some circumstance of birth, etc. Often, names of prophet’s children bore a message – ISA. 8:3; HOS. 1:4, 6, 9. Children were generally named by their parents, but sometimes kinsmen or friends would suggest names – RUTH 4:7; LK. 1:59.Not seldom, the name given at birth was changed after some momentous crisis, as was the case with Abram, Peter and Paul – GEN. 17:5; 39:9-13; MT. 16:17-19; ACTS 13:9. Very many names contained in them mention of God, such as Jezreel, Nathaneel or Abijah. Population increase brought surnames, such as compounds with “bar” {son of} or second names like Mark in John Mark. Place names actually derived from names of gods or physical features. El {God}, Beth {house}, Beer {well}, Abel {meadow}, Jearim {woods} and Gibeah, Ramah or Ramoth {hill} in names are well known examples.

A most notable, but often ignored instance happened when God actively took a hand in naming a child. David the king had a son and named him Solomon {peace or peaceable} and “because the Lord loved him, He sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah” {beloved of Jehovah} – 2 SAM. 12:24-25.

The most regal king ever, the world’s wisest man, the earth’s richest man, an eminent historian, song writer, biologist, geologist, architect, shipbuilder, builder of the most renowned place of worship, and the greatest giver of offering to God, it’s not surprising that King Solomon was a wonder on earth, in more ways than one! Solomon demonstrated that wealth “if consumed upon lusts”{JAS. 4:3} and turned into “provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” {ROM. 13:14}, it becomes a curse with his 700 wives and 300 concubines! These women turned his heart from God in old age – 1 KGS. 11:3-4. But King Solomom in repentance, bounced back into God’s heart and favour fully – ECCL. 12:13-14. In Song of Songs, one of the three books God wrote through him, Solomon’s restoration was complete as he celebrated monogamous marriage instead of polygamy – SOS 4:7-16; 6:1. The $2.1 billion Dasukigate arms scandal in Nigeria was revealed to Solomon when he noted that “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men {or Nigerian politicians} is fully set in them to do evil” – ECCL. 8:11.

Today, I know two persons named Solomon. The first is a maternal nephew, a very shrewd, highly intelligent and wonderful 11-year old. The second is my in-law, an eminent gynaecologist, the husband of one wife whom he loves unreservedly and shows the highest fidelity, and a very, very wise Christian. Truly, today, the name Solomon still stands for righteousness. God be praised forever in Jesus name.

A Pastor, historian, and writer, Joseph CHUKWUEmeka Anumbor is the author of THE INTERCOURSE OF TROUBLED THOUGHTS, a critically acclaimed discourse on homosexuality published by AuthorHouse Inc, Indiana, USA.