What's in a Name?

There's so much in the Bible that we glance over and move right on because we fail to see the relevance of it. I decided that if I wanted to get to know Jesus more I would take a look at his family. I thought one way to do that was to do a word search on the meanings of the names listed in the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:1-16. This is not an extensive study, but more of an introduction that will hopefully encourage others to do a more thorough study. I will share here what I found and some thoughts about Jesus - who his is and who he is toward us.

Abraham - "father of a multitude" - Jesus was referred to as the "firstborn among many brothers" Rom 8:29
Isaac - "to laugh" - Jesus must have been joyful as little children loved to come to him.
Jacob - "heel catcher, supplanter" - Jacob caught the heel of his brother and took the birthright. If we catch the heel of Jesus, we will get the birthright.
Judah - "praised, celebrated" - Jesus is worthy to be praised and we celebrate the life He gives.
Perez - "a breach" - Is.30:26 - The Lord binds up the breach of his people and heals the stroke of their wound.
Hezron - enclosed" - Romans 4:7 - Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Ram - "high" - Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Amminadab - "one of the prince's people" - We are the people of the Prince of Peace.
Nahshon - "enchanter" - Actually means to attract and delight. Some use a wrong spirit to do this, Jesus uses the Holy Spirit.
Salmon - "raiment, a garment" - The woman with the issue of blood only touched the hem of his garment and was miraculously healed.
Boaz - "in him is strength" - His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Obed - "serving" - Jesus washed the feet of the disciples.
Jesse - "wealthy" - Psalm 112:3 - Wealth and riches are in His house and His righteousness endures forever.
David - "beloved" - Luke 20:13 - He is the beloved son send by the Father.
Solomon - "peaceful" - He is the Prince of Peace.
Rehoboam - "enlarger of the people" - Means to make larger, increase in size, broaden, expand
Abijah - "my father is Jah" - He is the son of Jehovah.
Asa - "physician, or cure" - Jesus healed their diseases.
Jehoshaphat - "who Jehovah judges" - II Tim. 4:8 says He is a righteous judge.
Jehoram - "whom Jehovah has exalted" - Acts 5:31 God exalted Him to His own right hand.
Uzziah - "strength of Jehovah" or "Jehovah is my strength" - Luke 1:51 He shows strength with his arm.
Jotham - "Jehovah is upright or perfect" - Col. 1:28 Every man is shown perfect in Christ.
Ahaz - "possessor" - Jesus possesses the keys to death and hell.
Hezekiah - "the might of Jehovah" or "strength given by Jehovah" - Rev. 12:10 "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ."
Manasseh - "forgetting" or "causing to forget" - Phil. 3:13 Forget what is behind. Strain toward what's ahead.
Amon - "builder" - Upon the rock, Jesus will build His church.
Josiah - "whom Jehovah heals" - Matt. 10:8 "Heal the sick, raise the dead..."
Jeconiah - "whom Jehovah establishes or appoints" - Ez. 16:62 He will establish His covenant with us and we will know He is God.
Shealtiel - "I have asked of God" - Jesus said to ask what we will in His name and we will receive it.
Zerubbabel - "born at Babel (confusion)" - God will bring confusion to scatter the plans of man.
Abiud - "my father is majesty" - Jude 25 "To the only God, our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Eliakim - "raising up by God" - Jesus raised the dead to life.
Azor - "helper" - Heb.13:6 "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid."
Zadok - "just" - I Jn. 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive them.
Akim - "the Lord will establish" - Jer. 33:2 The Lord formed and established the earth.
Eliud - "God his praise" - Phil. 1:11 The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus to the glory and praise of God.
Eleazer - "help of God" - Heb. 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Matthan - "gift" - Eph. 2:8 We are saved by faith through grace, which is gift of God.
Jacob - "heel catcher or supplanter" - Genesis 3:15 - the offspring of women will strike the heel of the devil.
Joseph - "let him add" - I Cor. 3:8 Neither he who plants or waters is anything, but God gives the increase.
Mary - "their rebellion" - This rebellion is not a negative one against God, but is where Jesus rebelled against the laws of man that were contrary to the laws of God. He rebelled against the kingdoms of this world to establish the Kingdom of God.
Jesus - "Jehovah is salvation" - Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."