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The Bible is full of interesting characters with unique names. Among them, some individuals are known for having the longest names in the Scriptures. Let’s take a look at these distinctive names and the stories behind them.
1) Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah 8:1, 3)
God commanded the prophet Isaiah to give his son the extraordinary name of Mahershalalhashbaz. With 18 letters and six syllables, it holds the record for being the longest name in the Bible. The reason behind this lengthy name remains a mystery. Interestingly, Isaiah’s wife is simply referred to as “the prophetess.”
2) Zaphnathpaaneah (Genesis 41:45)
When Joseph rose to become the prime minister of Egypt, he was bestowed with the name Zaphnathpaaneah. It’s quite puzzling why we no longer give grand names like this to our modern-day prime ministers.
3) Tilgathpilneser (1 Chronicles 5:6, 20)
Tilgathpilneser, or simply Tilga, was an ancient Assyrian king known for his aspirations to expand the Assyrian Empire. His wealth grew through conquests and plundering neighboring lands. As a token of gratitude, local leaders were required to present him with 10,000 talents of silver. How generous!
4) Chushanrishathaim (Judges 3:8-10)
Chushanrishathaim was the king of Aram-Naharaim, ruling over northwest Mesopotamia. He became the first oppressor of the Israelites after they settled in Canaan. As a consequence of their worship of other gods, the Israelites were handed over to this king for eight long years. However, upon their fervent cry to the Lord, they were eventually saved.
5) Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28)
Nebuchadnezzar is hailed as the greatest king to lead the Babylonian Empire. He is credited with constructing the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar’s story is packed with dramatic events, including conquering Judah, destroying Jerusalem, having peculiar dreams, erecting a golden statue of himself, and even casting “troublesome” Jews into a furnace. Eventually, he experienced a humbling transformation, surrendering to God.
6) Berodachbaladan (Isaiah 39:1)
Originally named Berodach, this sentimental king of Babylon decided to honor his late father by appending his father’s name to his own. Thus, Berodachbaladan came into existence.
7) Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4)
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, suffered great losses at a young age. His father and grandfather perished in battle against the Philistines, leaving him as a mere child. With his heritage stripped away, Mephibosheth lived a life of hardship in a desolate place called “Lo Debar,” meaning “land of nothing.” However, King David made a promise to Jonathan to care for Mephibosheth, ultimately showing him kindness and compassion.
8) Hazarmaveth (Genesis 10, 1 Chronicles 1)
Hazarmaveth was one of the 13 sons of Joktan, a descendant of Shem and thus included in the genealogy of Noah’s sons. The name itself carries the meaning of “dwelling of death.” Quite an interesting choice for a baby’s name, isn’t it?
9) Ammishaddai (Numbers 1:12, 2:25)
Ammishaddai, mentioned in the book of Numbers, was the father of Ahiezer, who became the chief of the Tribe of Dan during Moses’ leadership in the Exodus. Notably, this name is one of the few that incorporates the name of God, “Shaddai.”
10) Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14)
Also referred to as “Kedorlaomer,” Chedorlaomer was one of the kings of Elam. In Genesis, it is chronicled that Chedorlaomer formed an alliance with three other regional kings and waged war against five Canaanite nations. Victorious in battle, he seized their possessions and even captured Abram’s nephew Lot. This event led to Abram’s daring rescue mission.
Discovering these remarkable names in the Bible allows us to delve into the rich history and diverse personalities found within its pages. To explore more fascinating topics, head over to 5 WS.
