DANIEL 1: 6-7
Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael,and Azariah.
To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to
Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Neg.
Some people assume new names to disguise their identity. For example; Samuel Langhorne
Clemens took the pen name of Mark Twain. Mary Ann Evans took the masculine pen name
of George Eliot.
Other people change their names when they move to a new country to make them more
pronounceable. For example, de Revoire became Revere and Yitzchak became Hitchcock.
Yet others feel a different name will make them more memorable. Thus, Erich Weiss became
Harry Houdini, and Betty Joan Perske is better known as Lauren Bacall.
Ashpenaz, the chief of the eunuchs also desired to change the names of the young men taken
from Jerusalem.
After all, it just wouldn’t do to have people serving in Nebuchadnezzar’s court with names
like Daniel (“God is my judge”), Hananiah (”Jehovah was favored”), Mishael (“Who is like
God”) and Azariah (“strengthened by Jehovah”).

These names honoured the God of Israel. so Ashpenaz changed them to reflect Babylonian
gods. Daniel became Belteshazzar (“Bel protect his life”), Hananiah was called Shadrath
(command of Akur), Azariah became Abed-Nego “Servant of Nebo”), and Mishael was
renamed Meshach (a possible corruption of the name Maraduk, an other Babylonian deity).
Society today is also good at changing the name of things that honor God. Having standards
is now called intolerance.Taking a stand for what you believe is understood as fanaticism.
The change Works the other Way as well.
Adultery is called an affair Drunkenness is now alcoholism, But don’t be taken in by a
change in names, God’s principles haven’t changed.
Guide your life by God’s Word; and you will be pleasing to the Lord no matter what the
world calls it. After all, what’s in a name? Not much if God isn’t in it.
CHANGING THE NAME DOESN’T CHANGE THE TRUTH.

WOODROW KROLL
www.backtothebible.in