I have spent this morning exploring the meaning of my name. I was inspired to find it out after reading this devotion about identity. It's all about the meaning of my brother's name, so I thought I would have a look into my own!
It seems odd that at the age of 24 I've never really done this before. The trouble is that on the surface Rebecca (or Rebekah) seems to have a fairly unpleasant meaning. I've looked at the character in the Bible but tended to steer clear of the actual meaning of the word. However a couple of years ago a friend of mine came out with this amazing interpretation that actually made it sound quite nice! I wish I could remember how he put it. But it inspired me today to seek out that side- it has to be out there somewhere!
There are two short, sharp, no-frills interpretations of the Hebrew for "Rebekah". The first is "ensnarer" (I had known it before as "bound"), and the second is "fat, fattened; a quarrel appeased". My name means "fattened"! There are people who have tried to do this to me(!) so maybe it was prophetic after all. Jokes.
Once I got over the fat bit, I guess "a quarrel appeased" is a pretty good meaning! It's all about bringing peace and bringing people together. I do have a knack for bringing people from different circles into the same room, and I'm not one for arguing. I'll take that.
The alternative interpretation of "ensnarer" is captivating. I will leave it to others to decide whether that is true or not. Another lovely little article suggests the word "secured" which I think I like best. It also says this:
Within this name lies the notion that individuals are placed together by something higher or smarter than they.
I like that notion.
Rebecca. Peacemaker. Secured. Fattened. It has a certain ring to it...
When you were dedicated God spoke a word over you, and it was that you would be like Rebecca in the Bible - you would be willing to leave all that was familiar to you out of devotion to the One you recognised as the lover of your soul. You are a devoted one, a follower, a lover with commitment and abandon. Willing to lay everything down and risk stepping into the unknown for what you know in your heart to be true. So proud to be a part of your life <3
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