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lunarknight
Guest
I know it might seem off topic however…
why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
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Atreyu
Guest
From the Catholic Encyclopaedia,
As a Roman citizen he also bore the Latin name of Paul. It was quite usual for the Jews of that time to have two names, one Hebrew, the other Latin or Greek, between which there was often a certain assonance and which were joined together exactly in the manner made use of by St. Luke (Acts 13:9: Saulos ho kai Paulos). See on this point Deissmann, “Bible Studies” (Edinburgh, 1903, 313-17.) It was natural that in inaugurating his apostolate among the Gentiles Paul should have adopted his Roman name, especially as the name Saul had a ludicrous meaning in Greek.
So Paul never actually changed his name; Paul was just the Latin version of the Hebrew Saul. A transliteration, I guess.
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utunumsint
Guest
I have heard another hypothesis, although I don’t know if it is credible or not.
Paul is related to the Latin adjective, paulus, which means little (or little guy
It is in sharp contrast to his Hebrew name, Saul, after the first king of Israel. King Saul is described as a great warrior, proud and ferocious, and his pride led to his fall. Maybe Paul intentionally changed his name to underscore his humility with regard to the graces he received.
God bless,
Ut
Paul is related to the Latin adjective, paulus, which means little (or little guy
It is in sharp contrast to his Hebrew name, Saul, after the first king of Israel. King Saul is described as a great warrior, proud and ferocious, and his pride led to his fall. Maybe Paul intentionally changed his name to underscore his humility with regard to the graces he received.God bless,
Ut
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Liberian
Guest
Lunar Knight,
Atreyu has already given a good answer. I just wanted to add that in this country many Chinese people take English names as well as their Chinese names. For example, I had one professor whose Chinese name was “Ten-Shin” (plus his last name) but who also went by James. I had another whose name was “Sau-Hai (Harvey)” plus his last name. (I’ll not give the last names out of respect for their privacy.)
Atreyu has already given a good answer. I just wanted to add that in this country many Chinese people take English names as well as their Chinese names. For example, I had one professor whose Chinese name was “Ten-Shin” (plus his last name) but who also went by James. I had another whose name was “Sau-Hai (Harvey)” plus his last name. (I’ll not give the last names out of respect for their privacy.)
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cazayoux
Guest
I didn’t think it was a language difference. Could just be my ignorance. According to my wife, it’s rampant.
I can think of other times that God changed somebody’s name.
Abram to Abraham
Simon to Peter
Saul to Paul ← or so I thought
I figured the significance of this was the covenant between that person and God.
A very significant covenant for all three examples above.
My thinking only, but I figured that this was the same reason that upon becoming pope, a man will take a new name.
I wonder if this also fits for the saint name (middle name) that we each take.
Kind of like a ‘new name in Christ’.
Like after becoming tied to God, you are a different person.
(shrug) … just my ramblings.
michel
I can think of other times that God changed somebody’s name.
Abram to Abraham
Simon to Peter
Saul to Paul ← or so I thought
I figured the significance of this was the covenant between that person and God.
A very significant covenant for all three examples above.
My thinking only, but I figured that this was the same reason that upon becoming pope, a man will take a new name.
I wonder if this also fits for the saint name (middle name) that we each take.
Kind of like a ‘new name in Christ’.
Like after becoming tied to God, you are a different person.
(shrug) … just my ramblings.
michel
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Atreyu
Guest
Well there’s no Biblical evidence to support your idea. To tell the truth, I think that it actually takes away somewhat from the special position of Peter as the first of the apostles.I didn’t think it was a language difference. Could just be my ignorance. According to my wife, it’s rampant.
I can think of other times that God changed somebody’s name.
Abram to Abraham
Simon to Peter
Saul to Paul ← or so I thought
I figured the significance of this was the covenant between that person and God.
A very significant covenant for all three examples above.
My thinking only, but I figured that this was the same reason that upon becoming pope, a man will take a new name.
I wonder if this also fits for the saint name (middle name) that we each take.
Kind of like a ‘new name in Christ’.
Like after becoming tied to God, you are a different person.
(shrug) … just my ramblings.
michel
By the way, another example is Jacob → Israel.
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lunarknight
Guest
Hmmmmmm…quite intresting might I might say…
your response is very confirmed and I can see how Liberian comparison actually ties in with it. Well done Atreyu!:clapping:
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The_Augustinian
Guest
Excuse me for hijacking the thread, but I’ve always wondered why, unlike Abraham and Peter, Jacob was hardly referred to as Israel.
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Atreyu
Guest
Is he not? I’ve never done a word count, but I thought he was referred to as Israel quite a bit. I suppose that unlike Abraham and Peter, Israel is also the name of the Jewish nation so there could be some ambiguity in calling him Israel instead of Jacob. I just thought that he often was referred to as Israel…?
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