In | Workbook: Names of the Prophets

Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

The names of the prophets are loaded with meaning. Most of them say something directly about God. In fact, many contain an explicit reference to God’s name. Often the prophet’s divine message(s) relates to the meaning of their name.

Two of the most common ways biblical names reference God’s name is through the use of two suffixes, “-el” (“god”), and “-yah” (a shortened form of “YHWH”). In English “-el” is still -el, and “yah” is often rendered “-ah” or “-iah.” 

Names of this kind that include a direct reference to God are known as theophoric names, from the Greek “theo,” meaning “god,” and “phoric,” meaning “bearing.” The rest of the meaning of every theophoric name comes from the parts of the word the name of God has been attached to. 

5. The names of the prophets themselves can encourage us by what they tell us about the character of God. Consider how the names below encourage you at this time. Record your reflections in your workbook.

Name: Meaning

Isaiah: YHWH is salvation
Jeremiah: YHWH exalts
Ezekiel: God strengthens
Hosea: Salvation
Joel: YHWH is God
Amos: Carried by God
Obadiah: Servant of YHWH
Jonah: Dove
Micah: Who is like YHWH?
Nahum: Consolation
Habakkuk: Ardent embrace
Zephaniah: Protected by YHWH
Haggai: Festival of YHWH
Zechariah: YHWH remembers
Malachi: Messenger of YHWH