The Secret Name
A divine name withheld, hidden, or promised to the faithful.
The Secret Name is a motif in scripture where a divine or significant name is either withheld, hidden, or promised as a reward. In Genesis 32:29, Jacob asks the name of the being who wrestles with him, but the reply deflects the question and instead a blessing is given. In Judges 13:18, the angel of the LORD tells Manoah that his name is 'secret,' directly linking the concept of a hidden name to the divine. Revelation 2:17 promises that to the overcomer will be given a white stone with a new name written, which no one knows except the one who receives it, indicating a secret name revealed only to the faithful.
- Passages mentioning a secret or hidden n
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- Passages where a name is asked but not g
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- Passages where a new name is promised
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- Passages where the divine name is declar
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- Passages where the LORD's secret is with
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Lore & Background
The motif of the secret name appears in contexts of divine encounter and reward. In Genesis 32:29, Jacob's request for a name is met with a counter-question and a blessing, implying that the name itself is not to be disclosed. Similarly, in Judges 13:18, the angel of the LORD explicitly states that his name is 'secret,' reinforcing the idea that certain divine names are not for human knowledge. This secrecy contrasts with Exodus 3:14, where God reveals his name as 'I AM THAT I AM' to Moses, a name that is declared openly yet remains mysterious in its meaning.
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the secret name as something that belongs to God or is given as a special reward. In Genesis 32:29 and Judges 13:18, the name is actively withheld from human inquirers, suggesting that some divine knowledge is not accessible to all. In Revelation 2:17, the secret name is a future gift for the overcomer, written on a white stone and known only to the recipient. This progression from withheld to bestowed indicates that the secret name is a marker of intimate relationship with God. The secret of the LORD is also said to be with those who fear him (Psalms 25:14), linking the concept of hidden knowledge to covenant faithfulness. The passages do not specify what the secret name is, only that it is hidden or promised.
Did You Know?
- In Genesis 32:29, Jacob asks for the name of the being he wrestled with, but the being does not give it and instead blesses him.
- In Judges 13:18, the angel of the LORD tells Manoah that his name is 'secret,' using the same word for hidden or wonderful.
- Revelation 2:17 promises a new name written on a white stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.
- Psalms 25:14 states that the secret of the LORD is with those who fear him, linking hidden knowledge to reverence.