📖 Biblical Definition
The Name Motif treats God's Name as more than a label: it is His self-revelation (Ex 3:14: I AM THAT I AM), the place where He sets His presence (Deut 12:5: the place which the LORD your God shall choose...to put his name there), the locus of salvation (Acts 4:12: there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved), and what the saints are sealed with (Rev 22:4: his name shall be in their foreheads). To know the Name is to know Him.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Biblical motif.) God's Name as self-revelation, place-of-presence, locus of salvation; sealed on the saints.
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Exodus 3:14's I AM THAT I AM reveals the Name as God's very being. Exodus 33:18-19 has Moses asking to see God's glory; God answers by proclaiming His name (Ex 34:6-7), the great I AM the LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious.
The Name in the New Testament is bestowed on Christ: God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name (Phil 2:9). Salvation is in the Name (Acts 4:12); baptism is into the Name (Mt 28:19); the saints are sealed with the Name (Rev 22:4).
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 3:14 — "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM."
Exodus 34:6 — "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth."
Philippians 2:9 — "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."
Acts 4:12 — "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often uses God's name casually; Scripture treats the Name as the deepest theological reality, sealed on the saints, defended by the Third Commandment.
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The Third Commandment (Ex 20:7) protects the Name: thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. Modern profanity is one violation; far broader is the casual invocation of the Name without weight.
The household's prayer begins hallowed be thy name. The first petition of the Lord's Prayer is for the sanctification of the Name. Recover the weight of this and prayer changes; speech changes; sealing under the Name shapes life.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew shem (name); Greek onoma.
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Hebrew shem — name.
Greek onoma — name; behind English onomatology.
Usage
"To know the Name is to know Him."
"The first petition of the Lord's Prayer is for the sanctification of the Name."
"Salvation is in the Name; baptism is into the Name; the saints are sealed with the Name."