Fresh Bread: Hallow Him!

In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, HALLOWED be Your name. (Matthew 6:9-10; New King James Version)

The word “Hallowed” is a word that we do not often hear used in our culture. In fact, the only time we hear the word used much is when people prepare to celebrate “Halloween”, which means “All Hallows Evening”. The purpose of this day was to celebrate the end of the harvest season. It was believed that on this evening the boundary between the living and the dead was dissolved. The dead would then be in the position to cause problems for the living, which included the destruction of one’s harvest. Thus, this evening was used as a time for protection and placating those spirits.

It’s interesting that long before this word was used to celebrate a holiday, Jesus taught his disciples (learners) that they should include “Hallowing” the name of God during their time of prayer. One of the definitions of this Greek word “hallow” means “to venerate”. Our English word “venerate” is derived from a Latin word that means to “worship”. The word “worship” means “to adore”. The word “adore” is derived from two Latin words: “ad”, which means “toward”, and “orno”, which means “to embellish or decorate”. As one can see, our English word “ornaments” is derived from this Latin word.

So what does all this mean? When God introduced Himself to Moses, He introduced Himself by the name “Jehovah” or “Yahweh”, which means “The Self-Existent One” (Exodus 3:14). It seemed that whenever God did something to make a name, that is, a REPUTATION, for Himself in an area of a person’s life, God expected them to add to His name a description of what He did for them. So, when Abraham experienced God’s provision of a sacrifice to replace the life of his precious son Isaac, Abraham called Him “Jehovah” but added the description or decorated God’s name with an ornament called “JIREH”, which means “provider”.

The following are some of the decorations and ornaments people attached to God’s wonderful name (reputation). He is Jehovah:

1. Jireh = Provider (sees, perceives, looks out, gives attention to)
2. Nissi = Banner (standard, signal, sign)
3. Tsidkenu (Tsid-kay-noo) = Righteousness (justice)
4. Shalom = Peace (completeness, soundness, prosperity, safety, quietness)
5. Shammah = There (present)
6. Roi or Ra’ah = Shepherd (feeder, ruler, teacher, companion)
7. Rophe or Rapha = Healer (makes healthful, physician, restores favor)
8. M’Kaddesh = Sanctifier (consecrates, proclaims, purifies, appoints, prepares)
9. Chanan (Khwa-nan) = Favorer (gracious)
10. Yada = Knows (perceives, finds out, is acquainted with, skilled in, is wise)
11. Kwun (Koon) = Establisher (sets up, prepares, arranges, makes firm/ready)
12. Quwn (Koom) = Raises me up (brings on the scene, proves, makes valid, builds)
13. Riyb (reeb) = Contender (quarrels, conducts a legal case, sues, strives)
14. Nadab (nawdab) = Largesse (willing, incites, volunteers, impels)
15. Nathan (Naw-than) = Giver (bestows, grants, stretches out, issues)
16. Adan (aw-dan) = Who is Pleased (delighted Himself)
17. tsadaq (tsaw-dak) = Who is Right (has a just cause, is justified, vindicates)
18. Ruwm (Room) = Raiser (exalted, lifted, causes to grow, sets on high)
19. Yasha (Yaw-shaw) = Who Saves (delivers, liberates, gives the victory to)
20. Shaphat = Judge (governor, ruler, decider of controversy)
21. Yowab = Fathered (alpha, beginning and end)
22. Ach (awkh) = My Brother (The One whom I Resemble)

On this day, when people seem to be “decorating” themselves, let’s take time to decorate God’s name, that is His reputation, with words that describe what He’s done in our lives.

PRAISE: Lord, like a person who gets decorated for Halloween, I hallow Your name (reputation) right now. I worship You as “Jehovah-Jireh”, that is my Provider. You are “Jehovah – Rapha”, my Healer. You are “Jehovah-Ach”—Jesus, the Brother that I am determined to resemble (Romans 8:29) and I praise Your NAME(S)!