Comments on: The Rename Game

By: Jeremy Pierce

Jeremy Pierce — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:50:56 +0000

From the point of Saul’s going to the nations, Luke uses the name the nations used for him. No surprise. I’m sure Jews still called him Saul, just as people who go by their middle name with their family don’t change that when they begin to use their first name with everyone else. Abram and Sarai had genuine name changes, and the biblical text reflects it. So did Jacob, but interestingly the Bible only inconsistently follows it (and more for the nation than for the individual). The same seems to be true for Peter, although the balance of passages reflect the change, whereas with Jacon it’s the other way around. With name changes issue by foreign powers (some of the last few kings of Judah, Daniel’s three friends) the Bible does seem to prefer the changed names for some reason.

By: Jared Bridges

Jared Bridges — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:32:50 +0000

Reed: true enough, but post-Acts 13, Luke never uses “Saul” again, and nor does Paul, except when referring back to his conversion. The reason is debatable, of course, but Paul’s mission to the Gentiles and subsequent emphasis on his Roman citizenship may have played a part. Whatever the reason, I don’t think the change in usage is insignificant.

By: Reed

Reed — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:17:10 +0000

Just a minor note: Paul did not change his name. Saul was his Hebrew name and Paul was one of his Roman names. See Acts 13:9.