Sometimes we read a scripture and just go past it, as if it has no relevant meaning for us. However, every word has weight and every scripture has profound meaning. Whenever there are several names given in a verse, whether names of people or places, there will be a message encoded in it. For example, look at 1 Samuel 1:1.
1 Samuel 1:1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.
So what significance is it to my life if I know the name of Elkanah’s great grandfather, or what tribe his great, great grandfather is from? Amazingly, encoded in these names is a beautiful message of hope from the Lord, as relevant today as it was in the time it was written.
We know that in Hebrew names denote purpose and character, as well as having both positive and negative meanings. Ramathaim-zophim can mean double height of the watchmen, and also deceiving hope. Height can mean a high position, or exalted, proud, or loftiness.
Ezekiel 33:7 So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
In the verse above, the root to the word watchers can mean watchman. A mountain can be a metaphor for a high place spiritually, and in Hebrew it also indicates our mind. Ephraim means a twofold increase, double fruitfulness, or double portion.
Elkanah means God has acquired or God has created. Jeroham means showing pity or mercy, or to deeply love. Elihu means He is my God. Tohu means lowly or to depress, formlessness, emptiness – this describes the state of the earth before God created light. Tohu is the same word found in Gen 1:2, the earth was ‘without form’, indicating empty. Zuph means honeycomb, and honey is a metaphor for the word of God.
Revelation 10:10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth…
Psalm 81:16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.
Here, the rock is Jesus, and we know Jesus is the word of God made flesh (John 1:14).
If you look at the meanings of all the names in v.1, you have: There is high position of the watchmen, with double fruitfulness, which God has created, showing mercy. He is my God, formless, with honey comb in double portions.
Looking at the overall introduction of this man, Elkanah, we see he lived in the hills or mountains of Ephraim, which means he was living in a high place physically. In scripture, this means he was in a high place spiritually, indicating he was close to God. This puts the opening verse and Elkanah in a very positive light. What is more important is the message encoded in the names of people and places. We see in these names a message from God that in His mercy, He has not left us without direction, or without hope, but rather has appointed godly watchmen over us.