Topical Bible: Children were Named: After Relatives

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, naming children after relatives was a common practice, reflecting the importance of family lineage and heritage within the cultural and religious context of the Israelites. This tradition underscored the continuity of family lines and the honoring of ancestors, often serving as a means to preserve the memory and legacy of forebears.

Old Testament Examples

One of the earliest examples of this practice is found in the naming of Seth, the son of Adam and Eve. After the death of Abel, Eve named her third son Seth, saying, "God has granted me another offspring in place of Abel, since Cain killed him" (Genesis 4:25). While not directly named after Abel, Seth's birth was seen as a continuation of the family line disrupted by Abel's death.

In the account of Ruth, we see another instance of naming after relatives. Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth, is named in a way that honors his grandfather, as he becomes the grandfather of King David. This connection is significant in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.

New Testament Examples

The New Testament also provides instances where children are named after relatives. In the Gospel of Luke, the birth of John the Baptist is a notable example. When Elizabeth, the mother of John, was asked what the child's name should be, she replied, "No, he shall be called John" (Luke 1:60). The people were surprised because none of their relatives had that name, indicating that the expectation was to name the child after a family member. However, the name John was given by divine instruction, breaking the tradition to signify a new beginning and purpose for John's life.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Naming children after relatives was not merely a cultural custom but also held religious significance. It was a way to invoke the blessings and virtues associated with the namesake. The Israelites believed that names carried prophetic significance and could influence the character and destiny of the individual. This belief is evident in the careful selection of names throughout the biblical narrative.

The practice also reinforced the patriarchal structure of Israelite society, where family heritage and tribal affiliation were crucial. Names served as a link to the past, ensuring that the accounts and faith of previous generations were passed down. This continuity was vital for maintaining the identity and unity of the people of Israel.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the practice of naming children after relatives highlights the biblical emphasis on family and community. It reflects the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people, where blessings and promises are passed down through generations. The genealogies in the Bible, which often include names repeated across generations, underscore the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In summary, the tradition of naming children after relatives in the Bible is a testament to the enduring value placed on family heritage, the honoring of ancestors, and the continuity of God's covenantal promises through successive generations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:59,61
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Baptism of Daniel.
... named Daniel, and his four sons were named respectively John ... There were some hindrances
in the way of Daniel's ... baptised with her husband and children; but as Mr ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter eighteen baptism of daniel.htm

Enterprise of Gainas, the Gothic Barbarian. Evils which He ...
... he had sworn fidelity, as likewise to his children, to the ... set fire to the church
which was named after the Goths ... was no other refuge, since the gates were shut ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter iv enterprise of gainas the.htm

In Judaea
... rose the castle which Herod had named after himself, and ... assemble 6,000 men, women,
and children, in its ... townspeople," as they were called, were regarded as ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

The Child-Life in Nazareth
... Antipas of the New Testament) was named his successor ... Then, after the Feast of Weeks,
came bright summer ... But the children were gathered in the Synagogues, or in ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the child-life in.htm

The Final Destruction of the Enemies of Religion.
... 7. To all these were added also the children [2796] of Maximinus ... us that Maximin
left a wife and two children, a boy eight years old, named Maximus, and a ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi the final destruction of.htm

Women of the Frankish Church
... by the allegations of a servant named Taland, who was ... His children included several
girls, all beautiful; but for ... He considered that if they were united to the ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/viii women of the frankish.htm

The Great Teacher
... A Christian mother used to ask her children every night ... The persons who did this
were called publicans. This man, sitting in his office, was named Matthew. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the great teacher.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... and as an outward seal, he was named Abraham, The ... when a pack of wolves came running
after her. ... very moment Satan left Jehovah, the children were assembled at ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Christian Cemeteries.
... Nereus and Achilleus; that of Balbina was named for S ... shows what a comparatively
safe place the catacombs were. ... who damages my tomb bury all his children at the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vii christian cemeteries.htm

Marcus, My Son
... sends salutations to the Colossians, and is named also in ... And then, after that,
tradition tells us that he attached ... Forasmuch as the children were partakers of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/marcus my son.htm