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Why did God change Abram's name?
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Jan 4, 2022 · God changed Abram’s name, meaning "high father," to “Abraham,” meaning "father of a multitude" (Genesis 17:5). At the same time, God changed Abraham’s wife’s name from “Sarai,” meaning “my princess,” to “Sarah,” meaning “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15).
Apr 12, 2016 · Changing Abram's name to Abraham was YHVH's way of declaring his ownership of Abram, much like the declaration of ownership of the people of Israel at Zion (in fact, that is the first time they are referred to collectively as "Israel").
God had promised Abram that he would have a son and that it would be through his wife Sarai. Abram's name means "Exalted Father", which may have proven to be an embarrassment as he aged without children.
Oct 4, 2023 · The story of Abraham's name change from Abram to Abraham in Genesis 17:5 is one of the most significant events in the Bible of all three religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This name change carries with it a special request and meaning for Abraham of God's promises and plans.
- Abraham’s New Name
- What The Story Means to Us Today
- Additional Thoughts and Considerations
- The Science Behind The Story
Still childless, Abram and Sarai were getting old when God reiterated his promise to Abramthat he would be the father of many nations. God cemented the deal when he told Abram that he would no longer be called Abram but henceforth, would be called Abraham, a new name that was fitting. Abraham means “father of a multitude”. God also told Abraham tha...
After God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, it must have been difficult for Abraham to tell everyone that his new name. At an old age, and childless, it took great faith to tell your friends and family that your new name meant “father of many”. Abraham had faith and did as God told him.
The significance of Abram’s name change
Abraham’s name change was quite significant. Abram meant “exalted father” or “high father”. Changing a few letters in his name, the new name takes on an entirely new significance. In Hebrew, Abraham sounds like “father of a multitude”. Abraham’s new name would forever be a reminder of God’s promise to Abraham.
Abraham’s laugh
When God told Abraham that he would soon have a son, Abraham laughed. In the next chapter, we will see that Sarah also laughs when God tells her she will have a son named Isaac. Ironically, Isaac means “he laughs”.
Circumcision
Nowhere in the Old Testament does it indicate that circumcision“saves” a man’s soul. Circumcision, which was already practice in ancient near eastern countries, was simply an outward symbol of the covenant between God and man.
The practice of circumcision
The practice of circumcision was already common in ancient near eastern countries. It was not new or unusual and continued throughout biblical times except during the journey of Abrahams’ people through the wilderness (during which time they had fallen out of God’s favor).
Changing names
In ancient times, names typically changed when there was a significant event in the person’s life. Typically only a few letters were changed in the name but the subtle letter changes would result in a new name that fully explained the change in the person’s status. In Abraham’s instance, rather than indicating a change in status, the name change foretold what was to come.
The significance of the letter “H”
Some scholars find more than coincidence in the letter “H” that was added to both Abram and Sarai’s names. In a day when subtle spelling and letter plays in words was common, it is significant that the letter “H” was added to both names. “H” was also found in the holy word “Jehovah”. Some believe it would have been considered an honor to have a letter from the holy name added to their own.
God changed Abram’s name, which means “exalted father,” to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude.” God changed Abraham’s name because of the changed role he would have in the future…the father of a multitude of nations.
Nov 8, 2022 · Abram’s journey from Ur of the Chaldeans to Canaan, and God’s changing his name to Abraham, “father of a multitude of nations,” presage the struggles and aspirations of his descendants’ return migration from Babylon to Judah.
