Calling and Purpose 21—Naming 3--Daniel and Friends
In ancient culture (and in many cultures today), a given name had significant meaning, and parents labored over choosing the right one for a newborn.
For the Hebrew people, names were especially significant. Thus, when Daniel and his friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) were given Babylonian names, the experience must have been alarming. These young men were already prisoners of war, far from home, with every move of theirs being watched, orchestrated, and evaluated. They had very little choice in anything, but clung to their Jewish faith and their Jewishness to the extent that they could in that foreign land.
It is worth taking a look at what their given names meant and contrasting that with their pagan names—to which they were referred in exile:
Hebrew Name Daniel
Meaning God is my judge.
Babylonian Name Belteshazzar
Meaning O wife of the god Bel, protect the king.
Hebrew Name Hananiah
Meaning Jehovah is gracious.
Babylonian Name Shadrach
Meaning I am very fearful of god/the moon god.
Hebrew Name Mishael
Meaning Who is like God?
Babylonian Name Meshach
Meaning I am of little account.
Hebrew Name Azariah
Meaning Jehovah is my helper.
Babylonian Name Abednego
Meaning Servant of the shining one.
For Daniel, every time he had heard his name prior to captivity, he was reminded of a role that God played in his life. From the time he is carried into exile (at age 13-15) until he dies in Babylon (a period of 67-70 years), he is referred to by a name that honors a pagan god and a pagan king.
Hananiah’s name is changed from the graciousness of God to a fearful, idolatrous meaning. Mishael, meaning “who is like God?” now lives under a name that says day after day that he has little value—and is a reminder to everyone who says or hears it. How potentially demoralizing. Azariah’s original name, a reminder that God is his helper, hears himself referred to as the servant of an idol.
How difficult it must have been for these young men to go from hearing their names in their own language—names that each recalled a piece of the character of God, names that reminded them of God’s presence and faithfulness—to having to respond to names that sounded foreign to their ears and honored an opposing set of values, meant to undermine their faith in the One True God.
If you read the book of Daniel, however, it is striking to note how resolute Daniel and his friends are—remaining true to the “God of gods” and the “Lord of kings” (Daniel 2:47)—in spite of mounting, life-threatening pressure to assimilate. It appears that they know who they are and, more importantly, they know WHOSE they are. Their original God-reminder names were deeply rooted in their souls in such a way that they remained faithful to the Lord, “the Most High” whose “dominion is an eternal dominion” and whose “kingdom endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34).
You, as a follower of Jesus, have been renamed. Instead of decreasing in value, your new name is better than any other thing you’ve ever been called. You are God’s dearly loved child.
Are there other “names” you are calling yourself or allowing others to call you—how have you let those define you?
How does reminding yourself of your relationship to God help you understand and resolutely and faithfully pursue your purpose?
If you aren’t familiar with your gifts—which help give shape and substance to your purpose and calling, take the free online assessment.
For more on these subjects, see the Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog. Check out other resources and a six-week workbook at GodGiftsYou.com.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years. Shirley has been EquipConnectServe Director at First Pres Boulder since 1999. She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S. Contact Shirley.