Understanding Covenantal Name: God’s Promises in Scripture

What is a covenantal name?

The term 'covenantal name' refers to a designation through which God identifies Himself in the context of a covenant, as seen in His self-revelation to Abraham and Moses.

In Genesis 17:1, God introduces Himself as 'El Shaddai' (God Almighty) when establishing the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, emphasizing His power and commitment. Exodus 6:3 clarifies that while God had revealed Himself to the patriarchs as 'El Shaddai,' He did not fully disclose His name 'YHWH' (the Lord) until His covenant with Moses, linking the name to His redemptive purposes. These names are not mere labels but reflect God’s active role in sustaining His promises through specific relational frameworks.

Covenantal names anchor the terms and faithfulness of God’s agreements, offering a theological lens to understand His character and obligations. This concept is foundational for interpreting how Scripture portrays God’s enduring relationship with humanity, a theme that will be explored further in subsequent discussions.

Covenantal Names in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, covenantal names serve as divine markers of identity, purpose, and God’s relational commitments to individuals and His people.

God’s practice of renaming figures like Abraham (Genesis 17:5) and Israel (Genesis 35:10) illustrates this principle. In Genesis 17:5, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham - meaning ‘father of many nations’ - to signify His covenantal promise of descendants and land. Similarly, in Genesis 35:10, Jacob’s name is transformed to Israel - ‘he who struggles with God’ - reflecting his new role as the progenitor of a covenantal community. These names are not arbitrary but anchor the recipients in God’s redemptive plan, emphasizing that their identities are shaped by His active faithfulness.

Such naming acts also reveal God’s self-disclosure through covenantal relationships, a theme deepened later in Exodus 6:3. By examining these examples, readers gain insight into how biblical names function as theological signposts, guiding understanding of God’s character and His enduring promises to humanity.

Covenantal Names in the New Testament

The New Testament continues the theme of covenantal names through Jesus Christ, whose name 'Emmanuel' embodies God's redemptive presence and new covenant.

Matthew 1:23 explicitly links Jesus' name to the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: 'They called his name Emmanuel, which means "God with us."' This designation underscores the new covenant's emphasis on God's intimate, embodied presence with humanity through Christ. Unlike the Old Testament covenantal names that revealed God's power or relational commitments, 'Emmanuel' signifies the culmination of divine dwelling among His people, rooted in Jesus' dual human-divine nature.

By taking the name Emmanuel, Jesus redefines covenantal identity as one of active redemption and grace, central to the new covenant's promises. This theme bridges to the broader narrative of Christ's ministry, where His name becomes the foundation for Christian faith and covenantal renewal.

How to Read Covenantal Names Correctly

To read covenantal names correctly, readers must first situate them within the broader narrative of God’s covenantal dealings with humanity.

This approach reveals how names like Abraham (Gen 17:5) or Israel (Gen 35:10) are not arbitrary but anchor individuals in God’s redemptive timeline. For instance, YHWH (Exod 6:3) is tied to His faithfulness to Israel’s liberation, illustrating that covenantal names carry weighty theological truths about God’s identity and purposes. They serve as signposts, guiding readers to understand His active role in history.

Interpreters should avoid treating these names as static labels. Instead, they reflect dynamic relationships and divine commitments that evolve with each covenant. Recognizing this principle helps readers appreciate how covenantal names shape both God’s self-revelation and humanity’s response, a theme that becomes especially clear in the New Testament’s use of names like Emmanuel.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of covenantal names, examine their theological significance in Romans 10:13-15 and Hebrews 8:6-13.

Romans 10:13-15 emphasizes salvation through faith in the name of the Lord, illustrating how covenantal names are central to God’s redemptive promises. Hebrews 8:6-13 contrasts the old covenant with the new, highlighting Jesus as the mediator of a superior covenant, where God’s name and promises are fulfilled in Christ.