In biblical exegesis, the most dangerous of the exegetical
tools is lexical analysis, also known as word study. This is because there are a variety of
factors that must be taken into consideration in order for the study to produce
accurate results, and Bible students often fail in accounting for the most
relevant of these considerations. One
area where this tool is most valuable, however, is in connection to Hebrew
names, especially when clear emphasis is placed on this in the context.
Hebrew names are typically assigned because of the combined
meaning of their constituent parts.
They
are assigned based on some physical reality (Adam was so named because he came
from the adamah, ground), spiritual reality (Noah was so named because
his name means “rest”), or an abstract concept such as the perceived
circumstances of the child’s conception/birth, values of the parent, occasions,
locations, perceived character, etc.
Because of this, Hebrew names carry special significance in the Bible. In Gen. 2:19, Adam was given the task of
naming the animals, apparently based on his perception of their
characteristics, and God remained nearby to watch and enjoy this process.
In Isaiah 9:6 (9:5 in Hebrew), we have one of the most
dramatic occasions of name giving in the Bible.
Here, Isaiah associates the names and titles of the future Messiah with the
characteristics of Messiah and his reign. I
have pasted in the Hebrew verse and tagged the names so that you can see the
correspondence of Hebrew and English. Here’s
what we know:
a כִּי־יֶ֣לֶד
יֻלַּד־לָ֗נוּ בֵּ֚ן נִתַּן־לָ֔נוּa bוַתְּהִ֥י הַמִּשְׂרָ֖ה עַל־שִׁכְמ֑וֹb וַיִּקְרָ֙א שְׁמ֜וֹ cפֶּ֠לֶא יוֹעֵץ֙c dאֵ֣ל גִּבּ֔וֹרd eאֲבִיעַ֖דe fשַׂר־שָׁלֽוֹםf׃
a-a A
special child will be given at some point yet future
b-b He will singularly bear the
load of governmental rule
Even more, He will possess
extraordinary, descriptive names, which are:
c-c Wonderful Counselor (פֶּ֠לֶא יוֹעֵץ֙ = pe’la yo-ates). The term translated “wonderful” is the term
word used for supernatural wonders as in the miracles produced by God’s
prophets. The term “counselor” likely points to His kingly role, i.e. as the
appointed ruler who dispenses counsel to the nation. E.g. He will be a counselor with supernatural
capacity to dispense counsel. (Note: the KJV strays from the Hebrew accents here and divides this
name into two.)
d-d Mighty God (אֵ֣ל גִּבּ֔וֹר = el gibor). This name/title is remarkable, because it:
1.) ascribes strength to God, but then, 2.) assigns the title of God to a
man! This is highly exceptional because
of the great emphasis the OT places on distinguishing God from all others,
particularly humans.
e-e Everlasting
Father (אֲבִיעַ֖ד = avi-ad).
This name is also remarkable because it identifies Messiah as a Father (av = father), who is immortal (ad = everlasting), though possesses or has
possessed mortality (cf. a-a above).
f-f Prince
of Peace (שַׂר־שָׁלֽוֹם = Sar-shalom). This name points to: 1.) the royal lineage of
Messiah, i.e. He is a prince (שַׂר = Sar) , as
well as, 2.) the character of His rule, i.e. He effectively establishes peace (שָׁלֽוֹם = shalom).
Furthermore, according to v. 9:7, 1.) His government will
increase (succeed in size, scope, extent?), without end, and will be characterized by
peace; 2.) will be in the Messianic line fulfilling the Davidic covenant; 3.)
will be a permanently established Messianic reign; 4.) will eternally be
characterized by godly virtues, and 5.) will have been directly established by
God.
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