Names also had a specific purpose. In many cases, a name described the character of the one who bore it. For example, Abram means 'exalted father.' This was an apt description of who he was. He was held in high regard as a very wealthy man for his day. He had huge numbers of sheep, camels, goats, etc and even had enough servants to raise up an army. The LORD Himself changed this man's name to 'Abraham,' meaning 'father of a great multitude.' This name was an expression of who he was to be and a constant reminder of the promise made to him by his Father in heaven.
Daniel's name means 'God is judge,' which in itself is a great description of the book that bears his name. In his writings, Daniel speaks of future events involving judgment, as well as the judgment of God that he witnessed fall upon the Medes and Persians.
Moses means 'taken out' or 'drawn forth.' Both definitions fit the man. An Egyptian princess took Moses out of a basket and brought him into the palace to raise as her own. Following his murderous attack upon an Egyptian soldier, Moses fled to the wilderness, where, if you recall, he met the great "I AM" in the midst of a burning bush. The "I AM" brought him out of the wilderness and sent him back to Egypt, where he delivered his people. Moses, who was 'taken out', was the means by which his people were 'taken out' of bondage.
Those are just a few examples of Biblical names with specific, personal meaning. There are many, many more. Check it out. Obviously, God knew us all before we were even born. He knew who we would become and what our character would be like. I believe He often directs the name chosen for us. Your name is a title with meaning you were given at birth. For many of us, it carries with it some aspect of who we are. Check it out. You may be surprised.
Since names have importance and carry meaning, should we not make an effort to understand our Savior’s Name? His Name most certainly carries meaning and importance. It may surprise you to learn that when our Savior walked this earth, no one ever called Him Jesus. His name underwent several changes as a result of being translated first into Greek, then Latin and finally into English. Mary called Him 'Yeshua.' The disciples and all who met Him called Him ' Yeshua.' Yeshua means ‘SALVATION.' Isn't that the most fitting name for our Messiah to have? The name 'Yeshua' carries with it a very important aspect of who He is. He IS our Salvation.
This name is mentioned many times throughout the Old Testament. In Psalm 9:14, David proclaimed, “I will rejoice in thy salvation.” Looking at the Hebrew, we find David actually said, “I will rejoice in thy YESHUA.”
In Psalm 91 God says,
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
“I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.” What name? Look at verse 16. The KJV reads, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, so what God actually said there was, “With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my YESHUA.”
Isaiah prophesied of the coming of YESHUA, who is both God and Salvation incarnate.
“Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. (Isaiah 62:11)
Think about the word ‘salvation’ for a moment. In both Hebrew and English it is a concept and experience to which no gender is assigned. It is a gender-neutral word. When speaking of salvation, we would say “IT was paid for at the cross. IT is a gift of God’s grace,” etc. However, here in Isaiah 62:11, salvation is assigned male gender, which makes no sense until you realize that Isaiah is not speaking of a concept or experience, but of a Person. Read it again with that in mind…
“Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy YESHUA cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.”
Isaiah was talking about the coming of YESHUA the Messiah!
In the King James Version, we are told that when the angel spoke to Mary and told her she would have a son, he said she was to “call his name JESUS.” Keep in mind that Mary was a Jew living in Israel. She spoke Hebrew. Gabriel would have most certainly spoken to her in the language she knew. So what Gabriel actually said was, “you are to name him YESHUA.”
Luke chapter 2 tells of YESHUA (Jesus) being brought to the temple to be circumcised. A devout man, the elderly Simeon had asked God to let him live long enough to see the Messiah come. God had promised this faithful man that indeed he would see Messiah with his own eyes. Simeon took the baby in his arms and said, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy YESHUA.”
Not only did Simeon see the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the Messiah, but he also touched Him and held Him in his arms! Simeon recognized YESHUA for Who He is, declaring, “For mine eyes have seen thy YESHUA, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
As the angel told Joseph, “thou shalt call his name YESHUA for he shall save his people from their sins.”
“Therefore God raised him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name; that in honor of the name given Yeshua, every knee will bow - in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue will acknowledge that Yeshua the Messiah is ADONAI - to the glory of God the Father.” -Philippians 2:9-11 (CJB)
The Bible says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13) and "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."(Romans 10:9)
It is not necessary to learn ancient Hebrew or Greek to call upon His Name. Whether we say "Jesus" or "Yeshua," He will hear and answer.
But knowing the origin and meaning of the Name "Jesus" gives His title, "the Name above all names" a much deeper and profound meaning for those of us who know Him as our Salvation.
"...in honor of the name given Yeshua, every knee will bow - in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue will acknowledge that Yeshua the Messiah is ADONAI - to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11 CJB)
"...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV)
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