What Saith the Scripture?
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Christian Baby Names
Or, The Virtues in Choosing a Good Baby Name
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold"
(Proverbs 22:1).

by Katie Stewart

Preface

The purpose of this article is not to give a comprehensive list of names found in the Bible, but to encourage Christian parents to choose baby names that will nourish faith, both in them and in their children, because "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" (Proverbs 22:1). Several "good" baby names will be suggested here, in examples of a Bible study method which includes Biblical content (on why the LORD has called these Saints "good"), and with Promises that are related to these Saints (Promises which can be claimed for your own children who are the namesakes of these Precious Saints). And there is great joy found in the heart of God when His children name their children with Godly intent. "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample" (Philippians 3:17). "Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).


Heroes of the Faith

Often in our hurried day, we forget to apply the wealth of Christian example that has been laid up for us by the departed Saints. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh"
(Hebrews 11:4). [Read the accounts of some of the LORD's best servants from our "Voices From the Church of Philadelphia" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/W.S.t.S.Voice.html --.] We live Christ's Example because of the Father's workmanship in us "to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). And we have the Holy Spirit, Who "shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance" (John 14:26). But we also have the faithful Body of Christ to help us-- members of our Spiritual Family to nurture us in the Ways of the Word. "For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the LORD, who shall bring you into remembrance of my Ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church" (1Corinthians 4:17).

We bless our children by naming them after the dear Saints of the LORD, for "the memory of the Just is blessed" (Proverbs 10:7). Their baby names should deliberately manifest our need to have our children linked in kinship to our LORD and our Heavenly Family. "14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, 15 of Whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named" (Ephesians 3:14-15). We demonstrate our fervent desire that our children be members of this same Spiritual Family, "for Thy City [O LORD] and Thy People are called by Thy Name" (Daniel 9:19). We devise with the LORD that our children pattern their moral characters after the Christian traits exemplified in the heroes we named them after. "Mercy and Truth shall be to them that devise good" (Proverbs 14:22). There is even a side benefit for ourselves. Our children, as namesakes of these Champions of the Faith, will become our daily reminders to "follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call [and with those that have called] on the LORD out of a pure heart" (2Timothy 2:22)-- making us more like our Saviour. "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). [Please see our "Topical Links On Salvation" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Jehovah/Topical.Links.Salvation.html -- if you have not this Wondrous Love.] People most often wish to have a "son to keep [their] name in remembrance" (2Samuel 18:18). Christians should wish to have children to keep their LORD's "Name in remembrance" (18:18)-- both now and forever. "The desire of our soul is to Thy Name, and to the remembrance of Thee" (Isaiah 26:8). "Thy Name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and Thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations" (Psalm 135:13).

We should desire good baby names for our tiny custodial dependents-- depicting the best motives for the best life lessons-- "names [that] are in the Book of Life"
(Philippians 4:3). Our goal for our children should be, that they will be far better Christians than we have been. "God make the name of Solomon better than thy name [David's], and make his throne greater than thy throne [David's]. And the king bowed himself upon the bed" (1Kings 1:47).


What to Look For in a Good Name

Always look for Jesus and you will find that which is Good. "There is none good but One, that is, God"
(Mark 10:18). Look for the godly characteristics that you love the most, for "godliness is profitable unto all things" (1Timothy 4:8). Follow the LORD's Example in parenting. "I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways" (Isaiah 45:13). Choosing a righteous name can help set a righteous direction, for "the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance" (Psalm 112:6). But that direction must be encouraged along The Way. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep The Way of the LORD, to do Justice and Judgment" (Genesis 18:19). "Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (1Timothy 6:11).

If there is a name of Spiritual renown that you are drawn to, but there is a Bible record of some sin that the bearer of that name had committed, the important thing to note is whether or not sin was a constant characteristic, or only mentioned by an occasion, and whether or not that sin was repented of. Every Saint has sinned, "for all have sinned"
(Romans 3:23). But a true Saint will prove their "calling and election" (2Peter 1:10) by repenting. "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee" (Proverbs 9:8). The only way a backslider can prove kinship to the Heavenly Family is by repenting. "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us" (1John 2:19).

You want to choose a name that brings to mind the great good that was accomplished in a life directed by, and for, the LORD. "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on Eternal Life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses"
(1Timothy 6:12). And remember, that though you may really like a name that you have found in the Bible, a name that stands for all "that is good and acceptable before God" (1Timothy 5:4), if that name is difficult for even mature tongues to say, or very odd to hear, please remember that your child will have to bear the consequences of such a choice. Our endeavor is to do good for our children, not cause more burden than they will, of necessity, have to bear. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

An example of a Good Name

Seth - The name "Seth" occurs early in the Bible. He was Adam and Eve's third son. "And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew"
(Genesis 4:25). While Abel was an excellent example of the very finest character to be found in any Christian ("By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts" [Hebrews 11:4]), he forever has the unique distinction of being the first man ever murdered, a fame no parent would covet. "Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him" (Genesis 4:8). For this reason only, I have side-stepped him and moved forward to his brother, Seth.

"Seth" means "appointed" or "compensated" with, as in "a substitute." Eve said that she named her son this, because "God hath appointed me [or, compensated me with] another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew"
(Genesis 4:25). This act, of replacing a life lost of a beloved son, shows what great compassion of heart our LORD has for His people to "show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee" (Deuteronomy 13:17). He lightened Eve's sorrow, a travail of her soul and heart that is very similar to the travail of body at a child's birth. "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world" (John 16:21). She had lost her righteous man-child, her dear Abel, at the very hand of her own evil firstborn son. What a double-edged agony for this mother to comprehend and shoulder! "For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child... that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers" (Jeremiah 4:31). Such grief a mother bears over the death of her innocent child is a heart rendering image. Albeit, this grief was compounded by another grief, the separate realization that her own son, Cain, born to her from her own bowels had robbed another human being of his life. "A foolish son is the heaviness of his mother" (Proverbs 10:1). But yet even MORE grief than this, her murderous son had now killed her only other son! "A foolish man despiseth his mother" (Proverbs 15:20). For in every practical sense, Eve had lost both sons with that one desperately hateful blow. "11 Now art thou cursed from the Earth... 12 ...a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the Earth... 14 Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the Earth; and from Thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the Earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me" (Genesis 4:11-12,14).

Adam and Eve had failed the LORD in their training of Cain. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he WILL NOT DEPART from it"
(Proverbs 22:6).

A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION FOR PARENTS: A child is a gift from the LORD. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward" (Psalm 127:3). The responsibility for that child lies with the parents. "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2Timothy 3:15). Holiness must begin with the parents if any is to be taught to children. "5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these Words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). The head of the family is the husband/father, with Christ Jesus as his Head. "I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" (1Corinthians 11:3). There is no success in a family if Christ does not command every aspect of it. "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Psalm 127:1). If the husband/father does not take his direct lead from the Word of God, he will fail God and his family. "Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD" (Ephesians 6:4). "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth" (Psalm 127:4). And a mother's influence cannot be underestimated, if empowered by the Promises of God. "8 Forsake not the Law of thy mother: 9 for they shall be an Ornament of Grace unto thy head, and Chains about thy neck" (Proverbs 1:8-9). If you start a child right, growing straight, that child will, by Promise, obey you IN THE LORD. "1 Children, obey your parents IN THE LORD: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first Commandment with Promise; 3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the Earth" (Ephesians 6:1-3). And if your child is IN THE LORD [Please read "Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Jehovah/Little.Children.Come.to.Me.html -- and "How to Lead Your Child to Jesus" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Jehovah/Lead.to.Jesus/Lead.Your.Child.to.Jesus.html --], then you will have succeeded as stewards, for your child will be everything God desires in His child. "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18).

The LORD's gift to Adam and Eve of another son, i.e., "another seed" (Genesis 4:25), as being "compensated" with an "appointed" "substitute," brought healing to a torn Adam and Eve. "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up" (Hosea 6:1). Seth represented God's mercy and forgiveness. Deeply knowing their failure in the gift given them of Cain, they now experienced God's forgiveness in the form of a merciful second opportunity. "If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them" (Romans 11:14). "Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way" (Psalm 25:8).

Seth represented a chance for them to "prove the sincerity of [their] love" (2Corinthians 8:8), and to make restitution to the LORD for their son, Cain, that they had lost to Satan. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him" (1John 3:15).

Seth was given to Adam and Eve as a substitute for the son they had lost-- Abel. Abel was a righteous son, for he "brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect [or, had value] unto Abel and to his offering" (Genesis 4:4). Adam and Eve must have done right by the LORD in their nurturing of Seth, their substitute for Abel, because it appears that Seth raised his son right. "To Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the Name of the LORD" (Genesis 4:26).

If you desire a "good name" (Proverbs 22:1) for your child, then Jesus says, "search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life: and they are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39).


Examples of Bible Study in Choosing Good Baby Names

(Names and meanings excerpted from "An Interpreting Dictionary Of Scripture Proper Names" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/The.Holy.Bible/Dictionary.Scripture.Names.html -- by Roswell Hitchcock, 1874, with additional Scripture reference(s) and Bible Bible Promises.)

1. Abraham - "father of a great multitude", or Abram - "high father"

Scripture reference(s): "8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of Promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same Promise: 10 For he looked for a City which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God" (Hebrews 11:8-10).

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1 The LORD appeared unto him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 and he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 3 and said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in Thy sight, pass not away, I pray Thee, from Thy servant: 4 let a little water, I pray You, be fetched, and wash Your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 5 and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are Ye come to Your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. 8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat... 16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the Earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the Way of the LORD, to do Justice and Judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him. 20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto Me; and if not, I will know. 22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23 [Abraham begins his intercession for the righteous.] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt Thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? 26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: 28 peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt Thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And He said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spake unto Him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And He said, I will not do it for forty's sake. 30 And he said unto Him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And He said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake... 19:27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: 28 and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt" (Genesis 18:1-8,16-32; 19:27-29).

Bible Promise(s) for Abraham's namesakes:


2. Anna - "gracious; one who gives"

Scripture reference(s): "36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day" (Luke 2:36-37).

Bible Promise(s) for Anna's namesakes:


3. Barnabas - "son of the prophet, or of consolation"

Scripture references: "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus... Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God" (Acts 4:36,43).

Bible Promise(s) for Barnabas' namesakes:


4. Caleb - "a dog; a crow; a basket" (WStS Note: the definition may not show much Christian character, but the man named Caleb definitely did. Cruden's Complete Concordance adds this thought: "or, as the heart.")

Scripture reference(s): "1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. 3 And Moses by the Commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel... 25 And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. 26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. 28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. 30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up AT ONCE, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. 33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. 14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: 7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. 8 If the LORD delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. 9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. 10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the Glory of the LORD appeared in the Tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. 11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke Me? and how long will it be ere they believe Me, for all the signs which I have showed among them?... 22 Because all those men which have seen My Glory, and My Miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted Me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to My Voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it..." (Numbers 13:1-3,25-33; 14:1-11,22-23).

Bible Promise(s) for Caleb's namesakes:


5. Daniel - "judgment of God; God my judge"

Scripture reference(s): "13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain... 15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18 that they would desire mercies of the God of Heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever: for Wisdom and Might are His" (Daniel 2:13,15-20).

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3 Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent Spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him... 11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. 16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God Whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the Living God, is thy God, Whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. 25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the Earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the Living God, and Stedfast For Ever, and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His Dominion shall be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in Heaven and in Earth, Who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian" (Daniel 6:3-4,11-28).

Bible Promise(s) for Daniel's namesakes:


6. David - "well-beloved, dear"

Scripture reference(s): "26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying... who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the Living God?... 32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth... 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the Living God. 37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee... 40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the Name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the Earth; that all the Earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands. 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the Earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled" (1Samuel 17:26,32-33,36-37,40-51).

"
1 A prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth NOT out of feigned lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from Thy Presence; let Thine Eyes behold the things that are equal. 3 Thou hast proved mine heart; Thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the Word of Thy Lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Hold up my goings in Thy Paths, that my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O God: incline Thine Ear unto me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Thy marvellous lovingkindness, O Thou that savest by Thy Right Hand them which put their trust in Thee from those that rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of The Eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy Wings" (Psalm 17:1-8).

"Remember that Jesus Christ [is] of the seed of David"
(2Timothy 2:8).

Bible Promise(s) for David's namesakes:


7. Deborah - "word; thing; a bee" (Also Cruden's Complete Concordance: "eloquent, or a bee." From Strong's Exhaustive Concordance: "from {1696} [in the sense of orderly motion]; the bee [from its systematic instincts].")

Scripture reference(s): "4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time... 6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh... 13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. 14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? [The LORD then justifies Deborah's standing before Him by fulfilling her judgment and prophecy.] So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. 16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. 17 Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. 19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. 20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. 21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 22 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. 23 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. 24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan" (Judges 4:4,6-9,13-24).

"
1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 2 Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. 3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel... 7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel... 12 Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam... 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak" (Judges 5:1-3,7,12,15).

Bible Promise(s) for Deborah's namesakes:


8. Elijah - "God the Lord, the strong Lord"

Scripture reference(s): "1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word... 7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land... 18:41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the Earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain" (1Kings 17:1,7; 18:41-45).

"
10 When he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the Earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah. 17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him... 19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. 20 And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. 22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the Word of the LORD in thy mouth is Truth" (1Kings 17:10-17,19-24).

"
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the Commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word... 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 and call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the Name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken... 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the Word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the Name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy Word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the LORD God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, He is the God; the LORD, He is the God" (1Kings 18:17-21,23-24,26-39).

Bible Promise(s) for Elijah's namesakes:


9. Elisabeth or Elizabeth - "the oath, or fullness, of God"

Scripture reference(s): "5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the LORD blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the Temple of the LORD. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the LORD standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth... 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the Temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the Temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless... 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the LORD dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men" (Luke 1:5-14,18-22,24-25).

"
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my LORD should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the LORD... 57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the LORD had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God" (Luke 1:39-45,57-64).

Bible Promise(s) for Elisabeth/Elizabeth's namesakes:



Again, and in conclusion, if you desire a "good name"
(Proverbs 22:1) for your child, then Jesus says, "search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life: and they are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39). Do it for your child. Do it for yourself. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2Timothy 2:15).



"Rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven"
(Luke 10:20).





Related Topics


Our Children in the LORD
-- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Promises/Promises.Our.Children.html --


compiled by Katie Stewart
in our "Promises" section


and
MORE Bible Study Ideas For Bible Hero Names
taken from our "Stories" section,
-- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/WStS.Stories.html --


STORIES OF FAITH
"And what shall I more say?
for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through Faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained Promises, stopped the mouths of lions"
(Hebrews 11:32,33).

The Burning Fiery Furnace
http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Stories/Stories.of.Faith/The.Fiery.Furnace.html

King James Version
by The Holy Spirit through Daniel
with notes by Katie Stewart

1. The Story of The Burning Fiery Furnace, with illustrations.

The Biblical account of the three Hebrew youths that would not worship Nebuchadnezzar's idol of gold, is not merely a story of courage, but it is a record of fidelity to the Faithful God, Who is able to deliver from the hand of man. "Our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king"
(Daniel 3:17).

Daniel's record also demonstrates God as Faithful, not only to those who faithfully trust Him, but also to the yet unsaved elect who don't. His plan, as the Revealer of Secrets, worked faithfully for the good of both groups of people. "Being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His Own will"
(Ephesians 1:11). He is with us in the "heat" of the battle of faith, and He works "behind our backs" when faith is yet to be born.
 

Noah's Ark
http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Stories/Stories.of.Faith/Noah_s.Ark.html

King James Version
by The Holy Spirit through Moses
with notes by Katie Stewart

2. The Story of Noah's Ark, with illustrations.

The Earth was the highest "good" God could do for man in providing a place for him to live. On this side of Heaven, the Earth shined as the most beautiful "home" ever. It was absolute perfection-- until man sinned.
 

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Stories/Stories.of.Faith/Elijah.Prophets.of.Baal.html

King James Version
by The Holy Spirit
with notes by Katie Stewart

3. The Story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, with illustrations.

Elijah stood before "ALL" his backslidden nation. Sin was their reproach. But the LORD God Almighty, in "wrath remember[ed] mercy"
(Habakkuk 3:2). These wayward children of Israel had no excuse. They had a rich history-- as do we-- of just Who exactly God was, is, and always will be. "Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest KNOW that the LORD He is God; there is none else beside Him" (Deuteronomy 4:35). He is The Great "I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14)... Elijah's task was to demonstrate to this deceived Israel that God was God-- the Only God! He approached "boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that [he might] obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). And it was God's merciful grace that allowed Elijah the opportunity to challenge the people to a trial by fire.
 

Paul, The Christian Hero
http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Stories/Stories.of.Faith/Paul.the.Christian.Hero.html

Taken from the book,
"Heaven: Where It Is, Its Inhabitants, and How to Get There"

by the LORD's faithful servant,
D. L. Moody

Annotated with "bulleted" Scriptures and reformatting by Katie Stewart

4. The Story of the Apostle Paul, with illustrations.

There was Paul. He won his crown. He had many a hard fight; he met Satan on many a battle-field, and he overcame him and wore the crown. It would take about ten thousand of the average Christians of this day or any other to make one of Paul. When I read the life of that Apostle, I blush for the Christianity of the nineteenth century. It is a weak and sickly thing.
--D. L. Moody
 

Moses, The Servant of God
http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Stories/Stories.of.Faith/Moses.Servant.of.God.1.html

Part One

Portions from the Pentateuch,
the King James Version by The Holy Spirit through Moses
with notes by Katie Stewart

5. The Story of Moses, Part 1, with illustrations.

Follow the account of Moses from The Creation of the Universe in Genesis, to the plagues in Egypt and deliverance through the Red Sea.

"As the human tool used in the hand of God to author the first five Books of the Old Testament, called the Pentateuch, Moses had to truly be 'the servant of God'
(Revelation 15:3). The LORD had to have a man who would trust Him so completely and believe Him so fully as to put on parchment the Record of an event that no human being could have witnessed personally and still credit its veracity as being from God. And this man would need to associate his name and person with it. It is this Record that God's people have lovingly ever after called, 'The Creation'"
     

Moses, The Servant of God http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Stories/Stories.of.Faith/Moses.Servant.of.God.2.html

Part Two

Portions from the Pentateuch,
the King James Version by The Holy Spirit through Moses
with notes by Katie Stewart

6. The Story of Moses, Part 2, with illustrations.

Continuing the story of Israel's journey to the Promised Land and Moses' death on Mount Nebo.

"'Moses the servant of God'
(Revelation 15:3), in authoring the first quarter of the entire Old Testament, who is mentioned periodically throughout the Bible in 774 verses, and finally, as being an important part of God's plan at the very end of the Scriptures, totally justifies The Word's title of him as 'The Servant of God' (15:3). For we believe that one of the 'Two Witnesses' spoken of in the Book of Revelation will be Moses. 'And I will give Power unto My Two Witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth' (Revelation 11:3)."





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