Reasons for Name Changes in the Bible
Name changes in the Bible occur for various reasons, often signifying a shift in identity, status, or purpose, or to remove pagan associations from place names. These changes can be observed in individuals, places, and even in the way names are recorded in biblical texts [5, 6].
One significant reason for a name change is to mark a new stage in an individual's life or a new covenantal relationship with God. A prominent example is Abram, whose name was changed to Abraham, and Sarai, whose name became Sarah [8, 12]. These changes were not merely cosmetic but signified God's promises and their new roles within His plan [8]. Similarly, Jacob's name was changed to Israel, reflecting his struggle with God and his new identity as the progenitor of a nation [5, 7]. In Eastern cultures, a change of name often publicly advertises a new circumstance in an individual's history, rank, or religion [8].
Another reason for name changes, particularly for places, was to remove associations with pagan deities or practices. For instance, the Reubenites changed the names of cities like Nebo and Baal Meon after conquering them [6]. This was done either because it was customary for conquerors to rename places, or more likely, to obliterate the memory of pagan idols like Baal and Nebo, whose names were incorporated into the original city names [9, 11, 13]. The Amorites, for example, named their cities after their idols, prompting the Israelites to rename them [11].
Name changes could also signify a change in political allegiance or status. When Pharaoh Nechoh changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim, it demonstrated Nechoh's supremacy and established Jehoiakim as his vassal or viceroy [10]. Both names carry similar meanings ("God shall arise" and "Jehovah shall arise"), but the alteration asserted the authority of the one imposing the new name [10].
Biblical texts also show instances where names are recorded differently due to linguistic variations or editorial choices. For example, Uzziah is sometimes called Azariah [3]. There are also cases where different names for the same place or person are merged or noted, such as Maacah and Maacath, or Siloam and Shiloah [4]. Some names, like Pison ("changing") or Shoshannim ("those that shall be changed"), inherently suggest transformation or alteration [1, 2].
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shoshannim — those that shall be changed”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Pison — changing; extension of the mouth”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: Names are based on the most common form + the first ref where the individual occurs (where a different name may be used), eg [email protected] even though Uzziah is called "Azariah" in that verse — >”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: MERGED: [email protected][email protected]; [email protected]+King'[email protected][email protected]; Gabbatha & Stone Pavement; Golgotha & The Skull; Solomon's & Solomon's Portico; [email protected] & Egypt (and removed ref Job.9.13; Job.26.12; Psa.89.10; Isa.1.9); [email protected] and El-bethel at Gen.35.7; [email protected] & House_of_the_Forest of Lebanon; [email protected] and Eloth: [email protected]=H3195H and [email protected]=G2484; [email protected]=H3672H & [email protected]=H3672I; [email protected]=H4809H & [email protected]=H”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: When a deliberate difference exists that should be reflected in the translation, the alternate is prefixed, eg Abram|[email protected], Israel (or 'Jacob')|[email protected] — >”
- Numbers “Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built. -- Numbers 32:38”
- Genesis “He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing.” He said, “Haven’t you reserved a blessing for me?” -- Genesis 27:36”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 17:5: but thy name shall be Abraham--In Eastern countries a change of name is an advertisement of some new circumstance in the history, rank, or religion of the individual who bears it. The change is made variously, by the old name being entirely dropped for the new, or by conjoining the new with the old; or sometimes only a few letters are inserted, so that the altered form may express the difference in the owner's state or prospects. It is surprising how soon a new name is known and its import spread through the country. In dealing with Abraham and Sarai,”
- Numbers (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Numbers 32:38: (their names being changed)--either because it was the general custom of conquerors to do so; or, rather, because from the prohibition to mention the names of other gods (Exo 23:13), as Nebo and Baal were, it was expedient on the first settlement of the Israelites to obliterate all remembrance of those idols. (See Jos 13:17-20).”
- 2 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Kings 23:34: Turned his name to Jehoiakim - These names are precisely the same in signification: Eliakim is God shall arise; Jehoiakim, Jehovah shall arise; or, the resurrection of God; the resurrection of Jehovah. That is, God's rising again to show his power, justice, etc. The change of the name was to show Nechoh's supremacy, and that Jehoiakim was only his vassal or viceroy. Proofs of this mode of changing the name, when a person of greater power put another in office under himself, may be seen in the case of Mattaniah, changed into Zedekiah; Daniel, Mishael, Hananiah, and”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Numbers 32:38: AND NEBO, AND BAAL-MEON — THEIR NAMES BEING CHANGED. “Nebo and Baal-meon were names of idols, and the Amorites used to call their cities by the names of their idols, therefore the children of Reuben changed [the names of these cities and gave them] different names, this being the meaning of the expression their names being changed , which means that Nebo and Baal-meon were changed to other names.” This is Rashi’s language. But the [concluding part of this] verse which says, and they called their names unto the cities which they builded refers to all the c”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 17:1: 17:1-27 God now gave the family signs that the promises would be fulfilled. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham (17:1-8), instituted the rite of circumcision as the sign of the covenant (17:9-14, 23-27), and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah (17:15-22). 17:1 El-Shaddai: This name for God emphasizes his power (see also 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; 49:25). • Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life: Being a blessing to the nations required obedience from Abram; his conduct would be guided by Almighty God.”
- Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 32:37: 32:37-38 If names of some of the towns were changed to avoid pagan associations (e.g., “Baal,” the well-known Canaanite god, or “Nebo,” a Babylonian deity; see Isa 46:1), the alternate designations are not provided here.”