Hallowed Be Thy Name

Hallowed is an old English word meaning Holy. The word in Hebrew for holy is KADOSH which means sanctified or "set apart". God's Name is so high and holy, that it is separate from all other names. Psalms 8:1 tells us: Oh YHVH, our Lord, how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth! Who hast set Thy glory ABOVE the heavens. In Psalm 113, David exhorts us to Praise the Name of the Lord... Who is like unto YHVH our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! God is so great that He has to bow down even to see the things that are in the heavens.

Paul tells us in II Corinthians 12 that their are multiple levels to the "Heavens". He teaches us that there are three heavens. We know that God dwells in the Heavens of heavens. In Ephesians, Paul calls Satan the "prince of the power of the air". He rules the second heaven and finally their is the first heaven - our own spirit dwells in this heaven.

Paul tells us how Jesus is exalted and His Name above all others: Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:20-23 If you read the entirety of Psalm 8, you will clearly see the parallel.

This shows a distinction in Principalities, Powers, Might and Dominion. Satan is called prince of the power of the air, Michael is also called a prince in the book of Daniel. Powers are referred to as certain angels in throughout the old testament referred to as elohim and malakhim - Elohim means "mighty or powerful ones" and Malakhim means Kings or messengers". Might are also a classification of angels - maybe the warring angels. And finally, dominion referring specifically to man who was given dominion over the earth. Psalm 104:4 states, Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. The Hebrew word for angels in this verse is Malakh and the word for minsters is Shar - the root for prince.

Now, lets take Philippians 2:6-11: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made of Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him and given Him THE Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So, through this passage of Scripture, we see that Jesus humbled Himself to the nature, not of angels, but even lower than the angels - man. But when He ascended on high, He ascended up FAR above everything (Eph. 1:20-23) His Name is sanctified, set-apart.

But what's in a name? Is it the sound we make when we identify someone? Is it the word that's place on a child when they are born to identify them? The idea of a name goes back to the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:7 reads in Hebrew translation - And YHVH Elohim formed Adam of the adamah [dust of the earth]. Do you see? Adam's name means Man and comes from the root for dust of the earth. Eve named Cain saying, I have "acquired" a man from YHVH. She named Seth saying meaning "appointed". These names have meanings and the meanings are the destiny of the child. Reading the book of Genesis will help you see the importance of naming a child. It gives them their destiny.

The Name Jesus, in Hebrew, means Salvation. It is the same as the Name of Joshua. He came from the tribe of Judah, meaning praise. Acts 4:12, Peter tells the council, "Neither is the salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaveen given among men, whereby we must be saved."

In light of all this, Paul tells us, "And whatsover ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Col. 5:17. Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18 "In My Name - shall they cast out devils, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Some Bible students say that this verse is not inspired, but I beg to defer. It has inspired many to do just what it says "In His Name" and it achieved the same results He promised.

Finally, remember the commandment - Thou shalt not take the Name of YHVH thy God in vain for YHVH will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain." There are many other Scriptures that show us how to Hallow or Sanctify God's Name, but hopefully these will help you along in your understanding and prayer life until you discover other treasures in His Word.