Name Change

In the Bible on many occasions we see God change the name of a person.  This indicates a change in identity.  It often indicated a change in character.  Names are important.  The Babylonians understood that.  So when they took in captives, such as the Hebrews, they often changed their names to try to change their identity.  If you call someone a name long enough they will begin to take on that identity.

Three Hebrew friends of Daniel were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We know them better as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  When taken into captivity their names were changed. Daniel’s was changed too.  But for some reason we refer to Daniel by his Hebrew name but not his friends.  Maybe it is because they are referred to by their Babylonian names in the account of them being thrown into the furnace, which we look at next time. 

Recently I decided to do my best to only use their Hebrew names instead of their Babylonian names.  I do not want to give honor to the Babylonian gods any more.

Here are the meanings of their Hebrew and Babylonian names:

Hananiah-beloved of the Lord

Shadrach-illumined by the sun god

Mishael-who is as God

Meshach-who is like the moon god

Azariah-the Lord is my help

Abednego-servant of nego or nebo (nebo/nego was a Babylonian god)

Daniel 1:6-7 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ⁷ Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

( As a little aside…. I like the irony of Nebuchadnezzar’s name which means “may Nebo protect the crown or Nebo is the protector against misfortune.”  Nebo was a well known Babylonian deity..  Chapter 4 of Daniel is record of how Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by the Lord God Jehovah by a time of insanity. He was not protected very well by his god. He came forth from that experience acknowledging Jehovah as God.)