{
  "id": "dict_003878",
  "term": "Name",
  "slug": "name",
  "letter": "N",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "In Scripture, a name often signifies more than a label; it can express a person’s identity, character, reputation, or authority. God’s name especially refers to His revealed person and worthy honor.",
  "simple_one_line": "A biblical name can denote identity, character, reputation, or authority, especially in reference to God.",
  "tooltip_text": "In Scripture, a name often points beyond a label to identity, character, reputation, or authority.",
  "aliases": [
    "NAME (new)"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Adonai",
    "Lord",
    "Jesus Christ",
    "Authority",
    "Prayer",
    "Worship",
    "Holiness",
    "Glory",
    "Covenant"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Take the name of the LORD in vain",
    "Name of the LORD",
    "In Jesus’ name",
    "Renaming",
    "Authority",
    "Reverence",
    "Confession"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "In the Bible, a name is often more than a personal label. It can stand for the person himself or herself, the person’s character and reputation, and the authority under which action is taken. This is especially important in Scripture’s teaching about the name of God and the name of the Lord Jesus.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A biblical name may signify identity, character, reputation, presence, or authority.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Names in Scripture can carry meaning beyond identification.",
    "To act “in the name of” someone is to act by that person’s authority.",
    "God’s name refers to His revealed character and holiness.",
    "Jesus’ name stands for His person, saving authority, and lordship."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "In the Bible, a name is not merely a word used to identify someone. It commonly points to the person’s character, standing, or authority, and this is especially true in references to God’s name. To act in someone’s name is to act under that person’s authority, and to honor God’s name is to honor God Himself.",
  "description_academic_full": "In biblical usage, a name commonly carries the idea of identity, character, reputation, and authority, not just personal designation. This is seen in the naming of individuals, in changes of name that mark God’s purposes, and in expressions about acting or speaking “in the name” of another. Most importantly, God’s name refers to His self-revelation—who He is as He has made Himself known—and therefore His name is holy and must be honored, trusted, and not misused. Scripture also speaks of salvation, prayer, and ministry in relation to the name of the Lord Jesus, showing that His name stands for His person and divine authority. While the exact nuance depends on context, the safest general definition is that “name” in Scripture often denotes the revealed identity and authority of a person, especially of God.",
  "background_biblical_context": "The Old Testament frequently treats a name as bound up with identity and reputation. God reveals His name to Moses, commands reverence for it, and places His name among His people as a sign of covenant presence and worship. The New Testament continues this usage, especially in relation to the Father and to Jesus Christ, where the name of the Lord is connected with faith, baptism, prayer, confession, salvation, and worship.",
  "background_historical_context": "In the ancient world, names often had meaning and could reflect character, hope, family circumstance, or vocation. Renaming could signal a new role or a decisive change in status. Biblical writers use this common cultural feature in a distinctly theological way, showing that God names, renames, and reveals in order to communicate His purposes.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Jewish reverence for the divine name reflects the holiness of God and the command not to take His name in vain. Second Temple Jewish practice also shows increasing caution in pronouncing the divine name, though Scripture itself grounds the main issue in reverence and obedience rather than in ritual avoidance alone. The biblical emphasis remains that God’s name represents His person, character, and covenant faithfulness.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Exodus 3:13-15",
    "Exodus 20:7",
    "Psalm 20:7",
    "Proverbs 18:10",
    "Matthew 6:9",
    "Matthew 28:19",
    "John 17:6, 26",
    "Philippians 2:9-11",
    "Acts 4:12"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Genesis 17:5, 15",
    "Numbers 6:22-27",
    "Deuteronomy 12:5, 11",
    "Psalm 8:1",
    "Psalm 23:3",
    "Psalm 29:2",
    "Isaiah 52:6",
    "Malachi 1:11",
    "Acts 2:21",
    "1 Corinthians 1:2",
    "Colossians 3:17",
    "Revelation 19:12-16"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Hebrew šēm and Greek onoma commonly mean “name,” but in Scripture they may also carry the sense of reputation, identity, or recognized authority. Context determines whether the emphasis is on a personal label or on the person’s character and standing.",
  "theological_significance": "God’s name is a biblical way of speaking about His revealed being, holiness, and covenant faithfulness. To honor His name is to honor Him; to profane His name is to dishonor Him. In the New Testament, the name of Jesus is tied to His saving authority, exaltation, and lordship, showing continuity between the Old Testament reverence for God’s name and the worship given to Christ.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "A name in Scripture often functions as a sign that points to the reality signified. The sign is not identical to the person, but it is not empty either. In biblical language, the name can represent the bearer because words are used relationally and covenantally, not merely as neutral labels.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Not every use of “name” in Scripture carries the full theological weight of God’s revealed character or authority. Context matters. Also, phrases like “in the name of” should not be reduced to a magical formula; they normally mean acting with authorization, alignment, or representation. Claims about the divine name should remain tied to clear biblical usage.",
  "major_views_note": "Most interpreters agree that biblical “name” can denote more than a label, especially in theological contexts. Differences usually concern how far that meaning extends in a given passage and whether a statement is emphasizing identity, reputation, authority, or presence.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry does not support any idea that names themselves possess inherent magical power. Nor does it imply that every occurrence of “name” in Scripture carries a secret meaning. The biblical focus is on revealed identity, covenant authority, and reverent use.",
  "practical_significance": "Believers should speak God’s name reverently, pray and serve under Christ’s authority, and seek to live in a way that honors the name they bear as God’s people. Biblical teaching on the name of the Lord also encourages trust, confession, worship, and witness.",
  "meta_description": "Biblical teaching on “name”: more than a label, it can denote identity, reputation, character, and authority, especially in reference to God and Jesus.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/name/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/name.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}