SHEMOT (SH'MOT) - NAMES

These are the names (sh’mot) of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: …

Exodus 1: 1 (NIV)

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INTRODUCTION

The second book of the Bible, Exodus, in Hebrew was named Sh'mot. The name means Names. It speaks of more than just the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. It speaks of God's faithfulness and His amazing love. God knew the name and calling of every single one of His people. He remembered them and the promise He gave to their ancestors. Every single deliverance happens because God knows our names and comes for us to redeem us back to Him.

THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are the names of the first five books of the Bible that almost all Christians would be able to recite even after awakening from a deep sleep suddenly. 

But what is so well known to Christians might be quite foreign to the Jewish and Hebrew minds. In the Torah, the Hebrew religious text, the first five books are named differently:

Bereshit, Sh’mot (shemot), Vayikra, Bamidbar, Devarim. (2)

The second book is called SH’MOT. The word contrary to its BIble name Exodus means Names, and the naming comes from the very first verse. (3)

SHEMOT - NAMES

To the majority nowadays, a name is simply a name. But in ancient times, and especially to a Hebrew mind, even nowadays, names carry deep meanings. They point to one's character, mission, and even calling. (3)

The Talmud teaches that, “Our souls in heaven are nameless spiritual creatures, submerged entirely in the God they serve. They have no separate identity that can be named or that requires one. Yet, as the soul descends to this world and enters the body, it takes on an identity, and this identity is captured and described by the Hebrew name.”  I believe it is similar with names and their meanings in other languages too. (4)

The book of Names speaks of more than simply the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. It speaks of God’s faithfulness. Even after 400 years of slavery and imprisonment, God knew the name and calling of every single one of His people. He remembered them and the promise He gave to their ancestors. (3)

TO BE REMEMBERED

It is a great comfort when you are remembered. All those years of loneliness and suffering can make one feel forgotten by everyone, even God. But despite how it may look at first glance, God watches over us. He never forgets nor forsakes, as is confirmed in Isaiah 49: 15 (NIV).

 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Isaiah 49: 15-16 (NIV)

It is a great comfort to know that there, after all, is someone who has your back; One who keeps watch over you to protect you, keep you in your ways. 

The Talmud mentions that exile is only a state of concealment and that the true identity and destiny of one’s soul are always intact. I agree and add that every wilderness season has an end. (4)

BOOK OF LIFE

Per the Jewish beliefs, it is not a guarantee that your name will be written in the Book of Life tomorrow if it is written today. We Christians hold a differing opinion. It is not by works, but by faith that we are saved. I agree, though, that true faith produces works. It produces in us the changes, the separation, and the desire to please God above men. 

It is rather comforting to know that it isn’t through our power but through His Spirit that now resides in us. (Zechariah 4: 6, Ezekiel 36: 27). Similarly, every single deliverance happens because God knows our names and comes for us to redeem us back to Him. (3)

CONCLUSION

The first five books of the Bible are named slightly differently in the Hebrew Torah. The second book, Exodus, is named Sh’mot and means names. It speaks of more than just God’s power to deliver. It also speaks of His faithfulness. He remembers us throughout all the years of suffering and exile. He does not forget and keeps watch. Every deliverance starts because He knows our names. 

Application

During this upcoming week, let God reveal to us what our names mean.

SOURCES

1. Image created via canva.com.

2. Chabad. What Are the Five Books of Moses? Available at https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3912290/jewish/What-Are-the-Five-Books-of-Moses.htm

3. Rabbi Mendy Lewis. Sh’mot: What is your Jewish name? December 31, 2015, 2:51 pm. Available at https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/shmot-what-is-your-jewish-name/

4. Doug Hershey. Sh’mot: The Meaning of Exodus’ Hebrew Name. January 8th 2016. Available at https://firmisrael.org/learn/shmot-meaning-exodus-hebrew-name/