Many of you are probably familiar with these names.
However, I believe that these men never existed, so please allow me to explain why.
LET'S STICK TO REALITY
In the book of Daniel in the Old Testament, were are told a few things about certain individuals. To most, they are now commonly known as "Shadrach," "Meshach," and "Abednego." However, I don't think we should ever refer to them as such. The real people who are the ones spoken of in the scriptures are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. As far as I am concerned, this is the true identity of the ones mentioned.
You see, names have meanings, or at least they once did. Hananiah meant something like "Yah is gracious" or "Jehovah has given.," Mishael meant "who is like God!" or "Who is what El is?" and Azariah meant "Yah has helped" or "whom Jehovah helps." Each of these names not only had a specific meaning, they each spoke of the one true Creator and glorified His name and person. But then, something terrible happened.
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon changed the names of these young men. Essentially, it was an attempt to change their identities. According to this source "The Chaldean names are related to the Hebrew names, but the name of a heathen god has replaced that of Yahweh," with supposed meanings like Shadrach = "Command of Aku (the moon god)", Meshach = "Who is as Aku is?", and Abednego = "Slave of the god Nebo/Nabu." As we read in the recorded history of the book of Daniel we know that this attempt at changing who they were utterly failed. Nebuchadnezzar may have tried to change who they were and even tried to change their names, but their identities never changed.
My point and current thoughts are, "Why do more modern day Christians not call these young men by their real names?" Doing so would not only accurately represent their real identities but also testify of the real Creator God. Personally, I think that even if we are ignorant, God knows what their real names were, and what their fake names mean. It is my belief that it may even be an insult to Him to refer to these young men by their fake Babylonian names representing false gods. We seem to have no problem calling Daniel by him real name... so are "Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah" really that hard to pronounce or remember?
Anyway, just some random thoughts that I was having late last night, and I figured I'd share them. As far as I'm concerned, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego" never existed. That was a failed attempt by Nebuchadnezzar. Words have meanings, and it would be a shame to call these faithful young men by such names. To personify it a bit, it would be like calling a Christian a name like "worshipper of the moon" or "slave to the tree god." How long would you allow someone to refer to you as such? Just some thoughts anyway... what are yours?
Until next time…
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