What is it still called today? I. Introduction Throughout Scripture, readers often encounter the phrase “What is it still called today?” or statements such as “Therefore the name of that place is called ___________ to this day.” These expressions point to an enduring continuity between biblical accounts and later generations, including our own. Such references invite deeper exploration into how specific names, sites, or memorials remain significant over vast spans of time. This article surveys examples in Scripture, addresses why these markers matter, and draws upon historical, archaeological, and theological evidence to show the lasting weight of these names and events. II. Biblical Usage of “To This Day” In various passages, the authors of Scripture highlight that certain names, stones, altars, or locations are “still called” by particular designations. This was meant to show that the memorial—not only literal but also spiritual—remained visible and meaningful long after the original event occurred. 1. Genesis 22:14: “So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’” This points to Mount Moriah, where Abraham’s test of faith took place. The phrase “to this day” indicates that future generations recognized the site for its monumental significance in Yahweh’s provision. 2. Joshua 4:9: “Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan … And they are there to this day.” Scripture explicitly states that these stones, set up after Israel crossed over the Jordan, bear witness to the miraculous entry into the Promised Land. Generations that followed continued to see them as a physical reminder of divine intervention. 3. 1 Samuel 7:12: “Then Samuel took a stone, set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’” Although the text does not explicitly say “to this day,” the name Ebenezer (meaning “stone of help”) persisted as a testimonial symbol that invited ongoing faith in God’s deliverance. These examples illustrate a divine purpose behind naming key events and places. Memorializing these names encourages God’s people—as well as inquirers and skeptics—to recall that these places were not fables but actual sites that remained identifiable for centuries. III. Historical and Archaeological Continuity Outside the text of Scripture, numerous archaeological findings have reinforced the geographical realism of these “still called” designations. Ancient city gates, inscriptions, and even personal seals testify to the historical continuity that the biblical writers claimed. • Archaeological Surveys in Jerusalem: Excavations around the City of David confirm the extended occupation of the region known biblically as Zion. Artifacts such as the Bullae (clay seals) referencing figures from the Old Testament help anchor these accounts in verifiable history. • Discoveries Near Mount Moriah (Temple Mount): While the exact spots can be debated academically, the recognized location of Mount Moriah in Jerusalem remains consistent with Genesis 22:14’s reference to “the mountain of the LORD.” Its long veneration by the Jewish people, and later by Christians, reflects the continuing identification of this site. • Stones at the Jordan River: Although the original stones set up by Joshua are not decisively identified today, regional surveys of the Jordan Valley demonstrate consistent ancient habitation patterns matching the biblical description. The very existence of a widespread tradition of monument-building (standing stones) across ancient Canaan lends credibility to Scripture’s accounts. Such archaeological and traditional attestations show that references to “still called today” were not mere rhetorical flourishes. Rather, they bind the historical narrative to specific places people could visit long after the events transpired. IV. The Theological and Memorial Significance Names that persist “to this day” serve not only as historical anchors but also as theological signposts. They remind believers and skeptics alike of the continuity between God’s actions in ancient times and the present day. 1. God’s Faithfulness Over Time: The enduring names show that the same God who parted seas, established covenants, and wrought salvation in ages past remains active. Markers in the physical world reinforce His unchanging character (cf. Psalm 102:27). 2. Invitations to Remember: In multiple Old Testament contexts, “memorial stones” (e.g., Joshua 4:7) were specifically intended to spark questions from future generations. Whether children asked their parents why a stone was there or a city was named a certain way, the name functioned as ongoing testimony of God’s saving acts. 3. Christ as the Fulfillment: From a New Testament perspective, the continuity of place-names also underscores the reality of Jesus’s historical life, death, and resurrection. He operated in these same historically grounded regions (e.g., Bethany, Jerusalem, Capernaum), fulfilling prophecies and leaving physical footprints in the same land that bore “monuments to this day.” V. Common Sites and Their Modern Names Several biblical locales illustrate the principle of being “still called” something in our time, confirming the Bible’s historical intent: 1. Bethel: Formerly called Luz (Genesis 28:19). While modern archaeological sites debate precise boundaries, the general region is still recognized near Beitin in today’s West Bank region. 2. Hebron: Known in Genesis as Kiriath Arba (Genesis 23:2). Hebron remains a significant city in modern Israel, continually inhabited—and often contested—through history. 3. Golgotha/Calvary: As the site of Jesus’s crucifixion, Golgotha was known as “the Place of the Skull” (Matthew 27:33). Its exact location is debated, but some modern Christian traditions identify it either within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or near the Garden Tomb. Either way, the name and its significance remain part of global Christian consciousness. These connections between ancient name designations and modern identifications further reflect how Scripture, while written in antiquity, interacts with real-world locations that persist in the collective memory. VI. Reliability of Scriptural Testimony When the biblical text states that a place or memorial is “still called” something at the time of the author, it points to eyewitness or near-eyewitness testimony. This “to this day” statement is evidence for: 1. Consistent Transmission of Historical Records: Biblical authors intended to root historical events in verifiable geography. The phrase “still called today” invites the reader—ancient or modern—to check that site and learn its story. 2. Manuscript Trustworthiness: In cross-referencing surviving manuscripts (including references in the Dead Sea Scrolls and later Greek or Hebrew texts), one finds careful preservation of these historical names. This preservation amplifies our confidence that the biblical text we read aligns with the writer’s original intent. 3. Apologetic Value: For those examining the faith claims of Scripture, these unbroken threads of regional names and traditions provide a tangible link of evidence. Whether investigating the empty tomb in Jerusalem or the patriarchal sites in Israel, such historical details form part of a cumulative case for the Bible’s reliability. VII. Modern Reflections and Application Although our times are far removed from early Israelite culture, believers and seekers can still discern value in these “memorial” references: • Learning from the Past: Just as the ancient Israelites could point to a stone or city name and recount God’s actions, modern readers can trace the biblical account through archaeology, geography, and continuing traditions. • Passing on Faith: The question “What is it still called today?” leads to conversations that pass the biblical story along to others. It embodies the instruction in Deuteronomy 6:7: “And you shall teach them diligently to your children…” Names and places become conduits for sharing the God of Scripture with future generations. • Anchoring Personal Faith: In times of doubt, these historically grounded touchpoints serve as markers that our faith is not untethered to reality. Just as the people of Israel looked back at Gilgal or Ebenezer, so can we look at preserved names and sites, attesting to the faithfulness of the One who intervenes in history. VIII. Conclusion When someone encounters the question “What is it still called today?” in Scripture, they are invited to look beyond a mere label. The Bible’s authors use these expressions to point to living memorials—ongoing reminders of God’s definitive acts of salvation, provision, and presence. Names that have endured, stones still visible “to this day,” and regions recognized for millennia bolster both the historical trustworthiness and the abiding spiritual relevance of Scripture. For those exploring the authenticity of the Bible’s claims, these standing points of reference serve as open doors to discover that faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not a disembodied concept. Instead, it is embedded in real names, real places, and real histories—what Scripture itself calls “the faith once delivered to the saints” (cf. Jude 1:3). Through these lasting memorials, the biblical narrative continues to speak, showing that God’s faithfulness indeed stretches through ages—“to this day.” |
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