In the Bible, certain prominent individuals receive a new name from God/Jesus. Why is this significant?

by [deleted]

Examples:

  • Abram and Sarai --> Abraham and Sarah

  • Jacob --> Israel

  • Simon --> Peter

  • Saul --> Paul

I realize that each of the names mean something (Petros = rock, and Jesus said he would "build" his Church on him). But, is there more to it than that? Something more along the lines of new identities or the fact that the new names came from God/Jesus himself?

Thanks!

Searocksandtrees

hi! While it's possible you could get answers here, this isn't a history question per se: it would be worth x-posting to /r/AcademicBiblical