📖 Biblical Definition
"Hallowed be thy name" is the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matthew 6:9). The Greek verb is passive imperative third-person — "let your name be made holy" — and it places the prayer’s first concern on God’s glory rather than the petitioner’s needs. The petition asks that God’s character (which His Name carries) be recognized, honored, and feared by all — in the petitioner’s own heart first, then in his household, his church, his city, and the nations. The third commandment forbids taking the Name in vain (Exodus 20:7); the Lord’s Prayer asks that the same Name be made holy everywhere it is invoked.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
First Lord's-Prayer petition: God's character honored as holy.
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The first petition of the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:9; Luke 11:2). Greek hagiasthētō to onoma sou — "let your name be made holy / be sanctified." Passive imperative third-person: the petition asks that God's Name (which carries His character) be treated as holy on earth as in heaven. Not adding to His intrinsic holiness (impossible) but praying that His holiness be increasingly acknowledged, revered, and honored. The petition stands first because it sets the orientation for everything else: God's glory before our needs.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 6:9 — "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."
Luke 11:2 — "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."
Leviticus 22:32 — "Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Often skipped as opener-formula; the first-petition prioritizing of God's glory over personal need is the actual structural lesson.
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The Lord's Prayer's first three petitions are God-ward (Thy name, Thy kingdom, Thy will); the next four are us-ward (give us, forgive us, lead us, deliver us). Christ teaches us to pray God-first, self-second. "Hallowed be thy name" is the priority orientation.
Recover the order: pray for God's name to be hallowed before praying for your own daily needs. The order matters; Christ taught it deliberately.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek hagiasthētō to onoma sou.
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['Greek', 'G37', 'hagiazō', 'to make holy, hallow']
['Greek', 'G3686', 'onoma', 'name']
Usage
"First petition: God's name hallowed."
"God-ward before us-ward."
"His glory before our needs."