Ethan
Filed Under Biblical Names, Boy Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: EE-than
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: Enduring, strong
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
Ethan was the name of several minor Old Testament Israelite characters briefly mentioned in various genealogies:
- a great-grandson of Jacob, grandson of Judah, father of Azariah
- a Kohathite descendant of Levi
- a Merarite son of Kushaiah, descendant of Levi
The most notable of the brief mentions is “Ethan, the Ezrahite,” son of Kushaiah. When the Bible describes the wisdom of Solomon, it says he was wiser than all men, even Ethan the Ezrahite. This Ethan was a singer at King David’s court well known for his wisdom. Also, Ethan the Ezrahite is credited as the author of Psalm 89!
Scriptures for the Bible Stories of the Name Ethan
- 1 Kings 4:30-31 (scroll down to verse 30)
- 1 Chronicles 2:6, 8; 6:42, 44; 15:19 (scroll down to the specified verse)
- Psalm 89
Variations of the name Ethan
Male: Eitan
We hope this information is useful to you. Contact us if you have a request for the Bible stories about a particular name. If you like this resource, tell your friends about the Christian Meaning of Names website, or link to us at www.ChristianMeaningOfNames.com!
Daniel
Filed Under Biblical Names, Boy Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: DAN-yul, DA-nee-el
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: God is my judge
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
There are two or three men named Daniel in the Bible. King David and his wife Abigail (see the Christian Meaning of Names for Abigail) had a son named Daniel. Nehemiah, the leader of Jerusalem’s wall-rebuilding, had a co-worker in construction named Daniel.
But the most famous Daniel by far is the prophet Daniel, of the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. This young man was taken captive by the Babylonians, enemies of Israel. Their captor, King Nebuchadnezzar, was quite impressed with Daniel and his other buddies captured from Israel, because “In all matters requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, the king found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.”
Besides wisdom in administrative matters, Daniel was also gifted with the interpretation of dreams. After interpreting a very troubling dream for the king, Daniel was appointed ruler over “the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men.” Not bad for a kid who started as a Jewish political prisoner.
Daniel served not only King Nebuchadnezzar, but also his successor, King Belshazzar. Daniel interpreted for Belshazzar some mysterious writing put on the wall by disembodied fingers, declaring God’s message that Belshazzar’s pride had brought his downfall and that his days as king were numbered. That very night the king was assassinated, and Darius the Mede took his place.
Amazingly, Daniel’s administrative skill and wisdom was recognized by yet another king. Darius put Daniel in charge over the entire empire, supervising the princes who governed each province. Despite his popularity with the king, or more accurately, because of it, Daniel was the target of a political assassination. Knowing Daniel to be a man of God who prayed regularly throughout the day, his enemies tricked the King Darius into making a law that would send Daniel to a death sentence for his religious devotions.
Perhaps the best-known event of Daniel’s life is his night in the hungry lion’s den. After surviving this with a bit of angelic help, Daniel not only continued prospering under King Darius, but also during the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Over the course of his life, Daniel also recorded several prophetic visions found in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.
Scriptures for the Bible Stories of the Name Daniel
- Daniel and his companions find favor in captivity: Daniel 1
- Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and is rewarded: Daniel 2
- Nebuchadnezzar has another dream that Daniel interpets: Daniel 4
- Daniel explains the writing on the wall for Belshazzar: Daniel 5
- Daniel survives the lion’s den and prospers under two more kings: Daniel 6
Variations of the name Daniel
Male: Dan, Danny, Danyel
Female: Danielle, Daniella
We hope this information is useful to you. If you like this resource, tell your friends about the Christian Meaning of Names website, or link to us at www.ChristianMeaningOfNames.com!
Rebekah
Filed Under Biblical Names, Girl Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: reh-BEK-uh
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: to tie or ensnare; literally “a rope with a noose”
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
The Rebekah of the Bible was a singular woman. She was chosen with God’s guidance to be the wife of Isaac, the miracle son of Abraham’s old age and became the mother of twin boys, Jacob and Esau.
When Abraham’s servant journeyed to find a wife for Isaac, he was burdened with a great responsibility. He was supposed to find a wife who would help fulfill God’s promise to his master to have descendants that would outnumber the stars. Knowing that there was no way he could find such a gem in his own ability, he prayed for a sign. He asked for the most far out thing he could think of …Read more >>
Mary
Filed Under Biblical Names, Girl Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: MARE-ee
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: commonly said to be “bitter”, but Hebrew origins (Miryam) indicate “rebellion” or “obstinacy”
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
There are three notable Bible women with the name Mary. The first was Mary the mother of Jesus. Her humble obedience to the call of God to bear and raise His Son was a beautiful example of a life surrendered to the Lord. As a young Jewish woman betrothed to be married, she was visited by …Read more >>
Andrew
Filed Under Biblical Names, Boy Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: AN-droo
Origin of name: Greek
Meaning of name: Manly
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
Andrew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus who later became apostles in the early church. He worked as a fisherman with his brother Simon Peter in Bethsaida, and was a disciple of John the Baptist before he met Jesus. He is said to have been martyred by …Read more >>
Anthony
Filed Under Boy Names, Historical Christian Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: AN-thun-ee or AN-tun-ee
Origin of name: Latin
Meaning of name: Uncertain; perhaps “priceless”
The Story Behind This Historical Christian Name
The name Anthony does not appear in the Bible, however it is notable as a Christian name because of its historical significance. St. Anthony the Great was a man commonly referred to as “the Father of monks”, or the father of Christian monasticism. While he didn’t invent monasticism (it was already being …Read more >>
Abigail
Filed Under Biblical Names, Girl Names | 1 CommentPronunciation: AB-ih-gail
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: “My father is joy”
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
Two women in the Bible were named Abigail. There isn’t much story to the first: she was Abigail the sister of David (who wrote many of the Psalms and became the famous king of Israel). However, the other Abigail was a woman described as “sensible and …Read more >>
Hannah
Filed Under Biblical Names, Girl Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: HAN-a
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: Grace, favor
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The favorite of two wives, Hannah was barren and unable to bear children for many years, while the other woman had several. This was very difficult in a society where a …Read more >>
Michael
Filed Under Biblical Names, Boy Names | Leave a CommentPronunciation: MY-kuhl or mee-kah-el
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: Who is like God?
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
The name Michael is referenced first and most in genealogical lists, starting with a man in the Israelite tribe of Asher. However, the most popular character with the name Michael is the angel described in the book of Daniel as a “prince” or “archangel”. He is also described as …Read more >>
Jacob
Filed Under Biblical Names, Boy Names | 4 CommentsPronunciation: JAY-kub
Origin of name: Hebrew
Meaning of name: Supplanter, heel holder
The Story Behind This Biblical Christian Name
There are two people in the Bible with the name Jacob, and only one has a story. The briefer scriptural mention of the name Jacob is the father of Joseph, husband of Mary, in the genealogy listed in the book of Matthew.
The real story is with Jacob the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of …Read more >>
