Does the Bible teach that there is nothing in a name?

Answer 1

Quite the opposite as names, particularly for God, describe His attributes and characteristics. Others are His titles of position, power and authority. The Bible calls Him "the Ancient of Days," "the Most High," and "Almighty God" to name a few. He is revealed as our Creator, our Father, our Provider, our Lord, our King, our Healer, our Redeemer and our Savior.

It was the custom of many peoples in the Bible to name their children with particular meanings - Adam means 'red clay' which God formed him out of. Consider these verses:

Genesis 29:31-35

New International Version (NIV)

Jacob's Children

31 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,[a] for she said, "It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now."

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon.[]

34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." So he was named Levi.[c]

35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "This time I will praise the Lord." So she named him Judah.[d] Then she stopped having children.

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 29:32Reuben sounds like the Hebrew for he has seen my misery; the name means see, a son.
2. Genesis 29:33Simeon probably means one who hears.
3. Genesis 29:34 Levisounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for attached.
4. Genesis 29:35 Judahsounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for praise.