A rose by any other name?

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet)

If the only purpose of a name were to distinguish one thing from another, or in the case of people’s names, one person from another, then Yes, Shakespeare was correct.

Biblical names are different, however. The name not only distinguishes one person from another, but also speaks to their character and attributes.

Abram - Great father (leader) became Abraham - Father of a multitude.

Issac - He laughs (Because Abraham laughed when God told him that his (mature) wife would be pregnant. Sarah also laughed at the prophecy.

Jacob - Trickster (Supplanter) (holder of the heel) twice he stole his brothers birthright.

Israel - God Contends. (God fighting for His people.

Superiority of Christ

Hebrews 1:4–14 NASB95

4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me”? 6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. 9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, 12 And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Angels were held in High Regard:

Angels brought the Word of the Lord to men. Angels were the protectors of people sent by God. There carried out the will of God.

Hebrews 1:7 NASB95

7 And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.”

Hebrews 1:14 NASB95

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

All good things:

Hebrews 1:6 NASB95

6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.”

John encountered an angel in Rev. 19.

Revelation 19:10 NASB95

10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Colossians 2:18 NASB95

18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,

Jesus was not an angel

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus and Lucifer are spirit brothers.

Mormon’s teach that Jesus is the Arc Angel Michael.

Kevin is smarter than people that ride motorcycles.

The name of Jesus

Hebrews 1:4 NASB95

4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Redeemer

Beloved Son

Prince of Peace

Alpha and Omega

Mediator

Fountain of the living waters;

Lamb of God

The Word

The True vine

The Branch

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

The bright and morning Star.

The Son of Man

The Way, The Truth and The Life

Christ

The Bread of Life

Chief Cornerstone

The Good Shepherd

The Bridegroom

King of Kings

Lord of Lords

Philippians 2:9–11 (NASB95)

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 4:12 NASB95

12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus

Yehoshua: God’s Deliverance