Expanded Bible (EXB)
6 Among those young men were Daniel [C "God is my judge"], Hananiah [C "The Lord is gracious to me"], Mishael [C "Who is like God"], and Azariah [C "The Lord is my helper"] from the ·people [L sons] of Judah.
7 Ashpenaz, the chief ·officer [or of the eunuchs], gave them names [C Babylonian, that is Akkadian, names]. Daniel's new name was Belteshazzar, Hananiah's was Shadrach, Mishael's was Meshach, and Azariah's was Abednego [C the new names praised Babylonian gods].
Belteshazzar means "Lady Protect the King" referring to the goddess Sarpanitu who was the wife of Marduk.
Shadrach means :Who is What God Is?"
Meshach means "I Am of Little Account."
Abed-Nego means "Servant of [the god] Nebo."
One thought:
In the ancient world, a name change was not unusual when a significant change took place in a person's life (Abram - Abraham/ Jacob - Israel) and Babylonian culture often changed the names of it's captives' to emotionally isolate and separate them even more from their homeland. In the case of the four Hebrew youths, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, they were chosen by the King of Babylon, for special training and positions in Babylon, because of their good looks and noble bearing.(Daniel 1:1-7) This education would have involved a total emersion into Chaldean culture and religion, so their names were changed to reflect this new belief system.(Daniel 4:8)
**HANANIAH(meaning "YHWH has shown favor") changed to Shadrach(which many believe to mean "Command of Aku"(a Babylonian God).
**MISHAEL (meaning: "Who is like God")changed to Meshach(Mishaaku) possibly meaning "Who is what Aku is?"
**AZARIAH(meaning:"YHWH has helped") changed to Abednego, possibly meaning "Servant of Nebo"(another Babylonian God )
**DANIEL(meaning: 'My judge is God') changed to Belteshazzar(meaning "Protect the life of the king", including an invocation to Bel (another name for the Babylonian God, Marduk).
By changing their food, clothing, surroundings and names, the Babylonians hoped to wipe out all longing for their previous lives, and replace it with their new Babylonian culture and religion. Of course, it did not work in this case, and the four Hebrew youths remained faithful to the God of the Jews (YHWH) through many tests of their integrity
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, are mentioned in the Book of Daniel(Daniel 1:7) They were the Babylonian names assigned to the Hebrew captives, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah,of Abednego.
In the Book of Daniel starting here:Daniel 1:7New International Version (NIV) 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
Their Hebrew names were Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה), Mishael (מִישָׁאֵל) and Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה). It was probably by the King's decree that the Chief Official, Ashpenaz, assigned them the Chaldean names of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, respectively [Dan.1:6-7].
Despite the fact that we know these three Hebrew young men as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, those were their Babylonian names. Their genuine names β their Hebrew names were really Hananiah, and that signifies "Yah is charitable"; Mishael, and that signifies "who is what God is"; and Azariah, and that signifies "Yah has made a difference."
One thought:In the ancient world, a name change was not unusual when a significant change took place in a person's life (Abram - Abraham/ Jacob - Israel) and Babylonian culture often changed the names of it's captives' to emotionally isolate and separate them even more from their homeland. In the case of the four Hebrew youths, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, they were chosen by the King of Babylon, for special training and positions in Babylon, because of their good looks and noble bearing.(Daniel 1:1-7) This education would have involved a total emersion into Chaldean culture and religion, so their names were changed to reflect this new belief system.(Daniel 4:8)**HANANIAH(meaning "YHWH has shown favor") changed to Shadrach(which many believe to mean "Command of Aku"(a Babylonian God).**MISHAEL (meaning: "Who is like God")changed to Meshach(Mishaaku) possibly meaning "Who is what Aku is?"**AZARIAH(meaning:"YHWH has helped") changed to Abednego, possibly meaning "Servant of Nebo"(another Babylonian God )**DANIEL(meaning: 'My judge is God') changed to Belteshazzar(meaning "Protect the life of the king", including an invocation to Bel (another name for the Babylonian God, Marduk).By changing their food, clothing, surroundings and names, the Babylonians hoped to wipe out all longing for their previous lives, and replace it with their new Babylonian culture and religion. Of course, it did not work in this case, and the four Hebrew youths remained faithful to the God of the Jews (YHWH) through many tests of their integrity
Jack, Shadrach, Zach, and Mack are all named that rhyme with pack.
I think you are talking about the three Hebrew boys Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who were brought to Babylon as exiles after the destruction of Jerusalem in 537 B.C. They were companions of Daniel. They were given Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel was given the name Belteshazzar. They are best known for their refusal to bow down to a great image and were thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. Jehovah protected them and they were unharmed. See attached links for more information.
Hadassah is her Jewish name, she was re-named Esther, while her previous generation was taken, into captivity. Just like In Babylon, Daniel, he was re-named Belteshazzar. Daniel & three Jews, after being taken to Babylon, were given Babylonian names, also. Hananaih was re-named Shadrach, Mishael was re-named Meshach & Azariah was re-named Abednego.
Read the book of Daniel (Chapters 1-3) .. One will find there these three Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego. These names were Chaldee names given to three men who were in the captivity in Babylon with Daniel. Daniel 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. Its and interesting read and very important for the people of this current time to understand. These three refused to break our Fathers law (worshiping and image). They are an example of what shall happen in at the end of this earth iteration (worshiping an image Revelation 13). Even though they were punished by the King, they were not harmed as Jesus Christ (son of man) was with them. This reference is one of the few mentioning Jesus Christ in the old testament. The lesson is directly related to the king of Babylon at the end of this earth iteration (within the next 50 years). Satan playing the role of fake Jesus shall setup an image for everyone to worship (Revelation 13), Just as with Shadrach, Meshach and Abedengo, those who do not worship the image shall be punished ... See Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 Mark 13: 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. This is the chance for true Christians to show their faith and perform a work for Jesus Christ and our Father against Satan and his one world (global) Theocracy, just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abedengo, did during the captivity in Babylon.
Only the Names Have Been Changed was created on 2007-01-12.
Adam, Avraham, Sarah, and Yisrael are a few of the people in the Torah who's names were changed.