The Hebrew word shem (שֵׁם) means name, but extends to reputation, fame, character, and memorial. It appears over 800 times in the OT and is one of the most theologically loaded words in all of Scripture.
In Hebrew thought, a name (shem) was not merely a label but the essence of a person — their character, authority, and very identity. To know someone's name was to have access to who they truly were. God's shem (Name) is therefore one of the most important concepts in the OT: 'I will proclaim the name of the LORD' (Deuteronomy 32:3). The Aaronic blessing invokes God's name upon the people (Numbers 6:27). The Temple was built so God's shem would dwell there (1 Kings 8:29). The Third Commandment guards God's name against misuse. Jesus came 'in the Father's name' (John 5:43), and the church prays, baptizes, and heals 'in the name of Jesus.' Philippians 2:9–11 declares that God gave Christ 'the name above every name' — shem finds its fullest expression in the Lord Jesus.