Why Did God Change the Names of Some People in the Bible?

When we name a child today, we often choose a name we like, or one we associate with something special. My daughter, Dawn, was named for a childhood friend. My son, Joshua, was named after the biblical hero because I thought the name sounded strong and masculine. Later that year it became "the name to use," and hundreds of other Josh's are running around today.

In the Bible, though, names had deep significance and were carefully chosen to have meaning and purpose. Sometimes the name was closely related to an aspect of the child's birth. For example, when the aged Sarah and Abraham had a son, he was named "Isaac," which means "laughter," because Sarah laughed when God said she would conceive.

Often a name was chosen to represent who or what the parents hoped and expected their child to become. Moses' wife was named Zipporah, which means "bird," a lovely name evoking beauty, grace and freedom. "Ruth" means "friend," and the biblical Ruth certainly proved to be an excellent friend. Zacchaeus, the diminutive tax collector Jesus called out of a tree, didn't exactly live up to his parents' hopes. His name meant "pure," a trait rarely attributed to tax collectors!

So Why Would God Change Someone's Name?
Sometimes, though, God changed people's names. A brief study of some biblical folks whose names were changed reveals that God made the changes for a specific reason. The name change corresponded with a life change that would make them entirely different people. A prime example of this was when Saul, who was known for persecuting Christians, became known as Paul, the disciple of Jesus. In Greek, "Paul" means small, and it is a mark of humility that God changed his original kingly name to one more suited to God's servant to the gentiles.

In some cases, the change God made in a name did not immediately result in a life change. In fact, sometimes the idea of such a transformation seemed absurd. In Genesis 17:5, when God changed Abram's ("High Father") name to "Abraham" ("father of many nations"), it seemed highly unlikely that this childless man whose age was a little short of a century would ever become what this new name implied. But God apparently names people as though the meaning is already true, then proceeds to change them and make them fit the name (Romans 4:17).

Jacob was born holding his twin brother Esau's heel, and his name meant "holder of the heel" or "supplanter." Later, after he spent an exhausting night wrestling with God, he got a new name. In Genesis 32:28 God says "Jacob" would instead be known as "Israel" ("God contended") "because he struggled with God and men and won." It certainly was an unusual victory because he was in the process of running from his angry brother, and he had to do so with a permanent limp resulting from his wrestling match with God.

In John 1:42 Jesus changed Simon's ("God has heard") name to Peter ("rock" or, more properly, "stone"). Again, the name seems incongruous because this "rock" wasn't so strong when Jesus was arrested and Peter ran for his life. But Jesus knew the changes in store for this big fisherman, and He named the man accordingly. It's interesting that, occasionally, Jesus still called Peter "Simon," even after He had changed his name. I assume this was because Peter sometimes acted more like his old self than the rock God called him to be.

These changed names and changed people are prime examples of Ephesians 3: 20, 21, "Now to Him Who, by the action of His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do super-abundantly far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams. To Him be glory." (Amplified Bible) How often God does the unexpected in a really unusual way.

The Big Surprise
Perhaps the most interesting name change in the Bible is one yet to come. Revelation 2:17 says if you are in Christ, he's given you a new name, too! It's a secret name, engraved on a beautiful white stone, and it's one neither you nor anyone else has ever heard. That may be because you wouldn't understand the name now... but once you arrive in your permanent eternal home you'll be surprised and pleased to have it.

This promised name will be engraved on a white stone, a concept far from new. Long ago God directed the high priests of Israel to wear a breastplate containing the names of the 12 tribes engraved on 12 precious stones. It seems fitting that God, who made all His followers priests should also give each one of you a stone engraved with your new name.

It's quite significant that the stone bearing your new name is white. In ancient times the Romans awarded a white stone to a person on trial who was acquitted, while a black stone went to those who were condemned. White stones were also given to the winners of the Olympic games, and these stones also bore their names. Your white stone will be evidence that you are free from the penalty of sin and are more than a conqueror in Jesus.

Your new name will have a deep meaning, too. First, it is your adoptive name. Anyone who is adopted takes the name of their adoptive family as their own. Your new name is the evidence that you have become a member of God's family, with all the rights and privileges that involves. It is proof of your union with God in Christ. It is also a name that embodies all the things God designed and created you to be, a purpose which will be fulfilled in heaven.

There are 2 important aspects to your new name: 1) all of us who have accepted Jesus and follow Him in this life will receive a new name (Rev.2:17). 2) We are not truly citizens of this world, but rather of the one to come. It is only when we arrive there that our true, everlasting names will be revealed (Rev.21:12). Only there will we will learn who and what we were really designed to be.

Sources:
http://www.ichthys.com/mail-names1.htm
http://www.gotquestions.org/name-change.html
http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/bibl.php
The Holy Bible, Amplified Bible edition
Strong, J. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible World Bible Publishers Iowa 1986
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/explore-the-bible/11600317.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/2.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-brown/revelation/revelation-2.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/revelation-2-17.html