This is a very good inquiry from a sincere heart wanting to please Yahweh. Should an Ephraimite, after learning of their Hebraic lineage as Israel, take on a Hebrew name besides their "given" gentile name? Let us look at Scripture and see. In Bereshith (Gen.) 17, Yahweh changes Avram’s name to Avraham to reflect the renewal of the covenant He made with Avraham. Never again is Avraham called Avram. Yahweh saw him as Avraham –the father of many nations (goyim). Yahweh added the "heh" to Avram’s name, as it was a covenant practice to take on part of the other party’s name (we see this in the wedding ceremony today). Yahweh became the Elohim of Avraham! So there was a name exchange. Later, Ya’akov’s (one who grabs at the heel) name is changed to Yisrael (one who prevails with El) after he wrestles with Yahweh’s messenger and prevails. A change had taken place in Ya’akov’s inner man at that point of his life. Moshe changed Hoshea’s name to Yahoshua in the wilderness, just before Yahoshua assumed leadership. So, it is scriptural to change or add to a name after some major event takes place in a person’s life and relationship with Yahweh.
Also, in Scripture names are very important as they reflect the nature, character, and even prophetic significance of an individual. This is true in Jewish culture today. The naming ceremony of a child is very important to the parents and the child. In gentile culture, a name is just put on an individual usually by the parents because it was popular at the time period, a name of a close relative, or for other non-scriptural reasons. But, what should we do as Ephraimites?
I believe it is perfectly OK and scriptural to add or take on a Hebrew name after you have a revelation of who you REALLY are and what your heritage is! If it has been revealed to you by the Ruach that you know you are an Israelite and your relationship (covenant) with Yahweh through Yahshua is renewed by that fact-then by all means adopt a Hebrew name. For example, my wife’s name is Joan, she is now called Yohannah, and my daughter is Rebekah and she is now called Rivkah. I am Edward – I have chosen a Hebrew name of Levi (joined, devoted to, united) and the priests job was to teach Yisrael the difference between the set-apart and the profane. I believe, after much prayer and searching Yahweh’s heart for me, that it reflects what Yahweh would have called me. So my brother and sister Ephraimites –go for it-take on a Hebrew name. Let us truly reflect our nature and calling as Yahweh would have named us-not the gentile society that we were a part of and dictated our past lives. We are YISRAEL, let our names show the world our belief in Yahweh and His eternal covenant with our ancestors!
Shalom B’Shem Yahshua,
Rabbi Ed "Levi" Nydle
The above question was submitted to and answered by Rabbi Edward Levi Nydle of Congregation B'nai Avraham, Ottumwa, Iowa. We at Yahshua Ohr HaOlam are in complete agreement on Rav. Nydle's position on this matter. The Rosh Zaken (Head Elder) of Yahshua Orh HaOlam, Thomas J. Mitchell, adopted his Hebrew name while keeping Succoth (The Feast of Tabernacles) with the brethren of B'nai Avraham in the Roman Year 2000. The name chosen was Mordecai HaLevi (Mordecai the Levite). The reason for choosing Mordecai is deeply personal and quite meaningful, and the reason for choosing HaLevi (The Levite) was because the Zaken believes he is a Levite by virture of the fact that he was first to open the matrix (first born child) and other reasons. We must remember that Babylon changed the names of the Hebrew captives, Daniel, HananYah, Misha'el, and AzarYah to the names of idols, (Daniel 1:6-8). Anyone wishing to adopt a Hebrew Name is welcome to contact Yahshua Ohr HaOlam to arrange for a Hebrew Naming Ceremony. There is no charge of any kind for this service.
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