1 of 2

Names in the Bible often have significance, telling us something about the person's attributes or circumstances. Mary named her baby Jesus, which means "the Lord saves" (Mt. 1:21). Several people in the Bible were given new names, usually after they or their situations changed. Test your knowledge of these famous biblical name changes:

1. The patriarch Abram was 99 years old when God changed his name to Abraham. The new name signified God's promise to give Abraham:
   
   
   1. the land of Israel
      
      
   2. many offspring
      
      
   3. a son
      
      
2. Abraham's wife, Sarai, was 90 years old when God changed her name to Sarah. Her new name revealed God's promise to make her:
   
   
   1. part of God's covenant
      
      
   2. a mother
      
      
   3. the mother of kings
      
      
3. After Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord all night, God changed his name to Israel. His former name, Jacob, reflected the fact that he was:
   
   
   1. unfaithful
      
      
   2. a deceiver
      
      
   3. not the chosen heir
      
      
4. Jesus changed his disciple Simon's name to Peter, which meant:
   
   
   1. rock
      
      
   2. fisher of men
      
      
   3. chosen one
      
      
5. After her circumstances changed, Ruth's mother-in-law, Naomi, changed her own name to Mara which meant:
   
   
   1. widow
      
      
   2. pleasant
      
      
   3. bitter
      
      
6. The prophet Daniel's name was changed to Belteshazzar after he:
   
   
   1. was taken captive
      
      
   2. survived the lion's den
      
      
   3. was made a ruler
      
      
7. In the Book of Acts, the apostle Paul is called Saul, at first. The name change coincided with:
   
   
   1. his conversion
      
      
   2. his acceptance by Peter
      
      
   3. his first missionary journey
      
      
8. The men of Gideon's hometown changed his name to Jerub-Baal because he:
   
   
   1. defeated the Midianites
      
      
   2. tore down Baal's altar
      
      
   3. saw an angel
      
      
9. Joshua, famous for the Battle of Jericho, had his name changed from Hoshea to Joshua by:
   
   
   1. God
      
      
   2. Moses
      
      
   3. the King of Jericho
      
      

1. (b) many offspring (Genesis 17:5). Abram had only one son when God changed his name ("exalted Father") to Abraham ("father of many") saying, "You will be the father of many nations" (NLT). Besides Israel, Abraham fathered other nations through his son Ishmael (21:18), the sons of his wife Keturah (25:1-4), and his grandson Esau.
   
   
2. (c) the mother of kings (Genesis 17:15-16). The name change was subtle. Sarai means "my princess," a personal title, while Sarah means "a princess" and speaks of God's promise that "kings of peoples will come from her."
   
   
3. (b) a deceiver (Genesis 25:26; 32:28). Jacob ("he grasps the heel") was born clutching his twin's heel as if trying to be born first. He continued to "grasp," deceiving Esau to gain his birthright, Isaac to gain his blessing, and Laban to gain his inheritance. God changed Jacob's name to Israel ("he struggles with God") after he admitted it was God he needed.
   
   
4. (a) rock (John 1:42; Matt 16:16-18). When Jesus first met Simon, he changed his name to Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek). Both names mean "rock." Jesus reconfirmed the name after Peter confessed "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said, "I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock [Peter's confession] I will build my church."
   
   

next page... |  1 of 2

	What did you think of this story?
	Please to give us your feedback.

Home  |  People of Faith  |  Stories of Hope  |  Today's Culture
Build Your Faith  |  Laughing Matters  |  Archives  |  Contact Us

				Try 3 Issues of Christianity Today Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless. Give Christianity Today as a gift Order a gift subscription!