Having noted the fascinating connection between the name of God, Elohim, and how it is inserted into the many names the Hebrews gave their children, we now engage the same kind of usage with the name “Jehovah”. The “a-h” ending of Jehovah is utilized in much the same way as “E-l”, the name for God. We noted the name “Elijah” actually incorporates both Elohim and Jehovah. The “El” references God, and the “j-a-h” references Jehovah. The name of the prophet Joel also reflects both names of Deity. Joel is like Elijah in reverse. Instead of “God is the LORD”, as the meaning of “Elijah”, Joel is “the LORD is God”, same thing but reversed order.
Nearly all biblical names with an “a-h” or “i-a-h” ending incorporate the name of Jehovah as part of the name in the same way they invoke the “E-l”, meaning God. Isaiah, with the “a-h” ending means “salvation of Jehovah”. Jeremiah means “whom God has appointed.” Obadiah means “worshiper of Jehovah”. Zechariah means “whom God remembers”. Zephaniah means “whom Jehovah hid”, Josiah… “whom Jehovah heals”, Hezekiah means “the might of Jehovah”.
The foregoing names, plus so many more we haven’t time to consider, simply indicate how important and significant were the names the Jews gave to their offspring. Invoking the name of their Deity, whether by his generic term “God” or His personal name “Jehovah” into the very names they gave their children gives evidence to how serious they were about the Creator. Words mean things, and the ancient Jews understood that. Names were not dispensed lightly but seriously, with aforethought. In fact, the name by which one was called was deemed of such importance that there were times when names required changing. When someone underwent a significant life-changing experience a new name, derived from that experience, was deemed necessary. The Jews were concerned that a person’s name truthfully reflected the sum total of his being. Truth and accuracy were the issues. At times, God Himself changed the name of certain individuals with whom He was dealing. Abraham, who was originally called “Abram”, is a notable example. “Abram” means “exalted father”. Ironically, Abram was not a father at all. He and Sarai had been childless all during their childbearing years. God changed his name from “Abram”, meaning “exalted father” to “Abraham”, which means “exalted father of nations” for irony. Built into the name-change, however, was the irrevocable promise of an heir. Abraham was not the exalted father of nations when God named him that, but he most assuredly would become that. And, to this day, Abraham is very much the exalted father of nations.
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