In biblical theology, the concept of "blotting out the name" is a significant motif that appears in various contexts, often associated with divine judgment, covenantal consequences, and the erasure of memory or identity. This entry explores the different kinds of blotting out the name as presented in the Scriptures, highlighting its implications and theological significance.

1. Blotting Out from the Book of Life

One of the most profound instances of blotting out is found in the context of the Book of Life. This book is a heavenly record of those who belong to God and have eternal life. In Exodus 32:32-33, Moses intercedes for the Israelites after their sin with the golden calf, saying, "But now, please forgive their sin. But if not, then blot me out of the book You have written." The LORD responds, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book." This passage underscores the gravity of sin and the potential for one's name to be removed from the divine record, signifying a loss of covenantal relationship and eternal life.

2. Blotting Out as a Form of Judgment on Nations

The concept of blotting out extends beyond individuals to entire nations. In Deuteronomy 9:14, God speaks to Moses about the rebelliousness of the Israelites, saying, "Let Me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven." Here, blotting out the name of a nation implies total destruction and the erasure of its memory from history. This form of judgment serves as a warning to nations that persist in idolatry and disobedience to God's commands.

3. Blotting Out of Sins

Conversely, the Bible also speaks of blotting out in a redemptive sense, where God promises to erase the sins of His people. In Isaiah 43:25, the LORD declares, "I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more." This act of divine grace highlights God's willingness to forgive and restore those who repent, removing the stain of sin and its consequences from their record.

4. Blotting Out in the Context of Covenant Faithfulness

The theme of blotting out is also tied to covenant faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 29:20, concerning those who turn away from the covenant, it is written, "The LORD will never be willing to forgive him; His wrath and zeal will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven." This passage emphasizes the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness and the resulting divine judgment, which includes the erasure of one's name from the community of God's people.

5. Blotting Out in Eschatological Judgment

In the New Testament, the concept of blotting out is echoed in eschatological contexts. Revelation 3:5 states, "He who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels." This promise to the faithful in the church of Sardis assures believers of their secure place in God's eternal kingdom, contrasting with the potential erasure faced by those who do not persevere in faith.

In summary, the biblical motif of blotting out the name serves as a powerful symbol of both judgment and redemption. It reflects the seriousness of sin and covenant unfaithfulness, the potential for divine judgment on individuals and nations, and the hope of forgiveness and restoration through God's grace.Deuteronomy 29:20
The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie on him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... by departing from thy precepts and thy judgments," (Dan.9:5 ... have overlooked, that
there are two kinds of divine ... the correction of David a very different form of ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

The Mystery
... should worship the first beast, which arose out of the ... one to the eternal fire in
the name of God ... and by other surprising effects of different kinds, was first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

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