In the Bible, the word “name” is used to talk about different things.
* The word “name” can be used to talk about a person’s reputation. For example, “let us make a name for ourselves” (see: Genesis 11:4; see also Genesis 12:2; 2 Samuel 7:9). This is a way of talking about a person doing something so that others will know and respect the person.
* The words “speak in the name of God” are used to talk about a person speaking with the authority and power of God (see: Acts 9:28; see also Matthew 28:19; John 14:13).
* The word “name” can also be used to talk about the entire person. For example, “there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (see: Acts 4:12). This is a way of talking about Jesus being the only person that someone must believe in to be saved.
* The word “name” can also be used to talk about the memory of something. For example, “cut off the names of the idols” (see: Zechariah 13:2; see also Joshua 7:9). This is a way of talking about removing idols so that no one will ever remember them.
The name of Yahweh is holy. It is to be treated with respect (see: Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 22:32).
God changed the name of some of the people he chose to serve him. For example, he changed Abram’s name to Abraham. He changed Jacob’s name to Israel (see: Genesis 17:5; 32:28). God changed a person’s name so other people would know that there was something new about the person. This could have been something new about the person honoring God. Or it could have been something new that God wanted the person to do.
God promised to give new names to those who remain faithful to him (see: Revelation 2:17).
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