“[The document was sealed with…the following priests:]
Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah…”
Nehemiah 10:5
Last time we more deeply examined the names of three signing priests, remembering how Yah prospers spiritually and we all need counsel. Today we step into the meanings of the next three priests.
First up is Harim (Charim) whose name means “consecrated.” It comes from charam – cursed, ban, devote, exterminate, utterly destroy, forfeit, have a flat nose, snub-nosed, utterly slay, seclude by a ban, to devote to religious uses (especially destruction).
At first blush, the name seems only positive: consecrated, set apart. But its root word? To exterminate and utterly destroy? To seclude by a ban and curse? Well, that’s no good. And have we not seen this very thing done to Jews throughout the centuries? Do we not still see this hand played by those who seek power over others?
Any time a person or group of people is targeted for extermination or subject to a ban, we have a humanitarian problem on our hands. May we be diligent to uphold human dignity and worth on our watch.
In addition to its meaning, we have seen this family name in our study of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is listed in Ezra 2:32 & 39 as men of Bethlehem and descendants of Jeshua returning to Jerusalem with Ezra, as those guilty of intermarriage in Ezra 10:21 & 31, and in Nehemiah 3:11 as Malkijah’s father in rebuilding the wall.
Any time I see that name Jeshua, I am grateful for its meaning: He will save. While Harim is not a descendant of the high priest, his family name bears the same spectacular significance.
And any time we talk about being set apart for Him in this harsh world, it is a relief to be reminded where the power and salvation come from. Even as we battle principalities and uphold dignity, He is the One Who saves.
Next priest listed is Meremoth, whose name comes from mirmah – deceit, treachery, deception, dishonest, false, craft, feigned, guile, fraud; also plural from rum – to be high, exalted, rise, become proud, lofty.
Well, these do not seem to be particularly flattering name meanings. In fact, they all point to the father of lies. When deception is at hand, the enemy’s hand is all over it. When seeking to rise above others, be exalted and proud, we are not imitating the One Who bowed low in birth and service because He so loved the world.
May we discern the fingerprints of darkness in our day and refuse to cooperate. May our resistance be our service, our prayers what tear down every high thing which seeks to exalt itself above God.
Our final priest in today’s verse is Obadiah whose name means “servant of Yah,” from Yah and abad – to work, bondage, enslaved, labor, till, working, worship, bond service, compel.
Slavery is a demonic evil used all around the world, stripping image bearers of dignity. And the exact opposite is true as bondslaves to Yahweh. His powerful Spirit honors our dignity as we serve in His Kingdom.
May we bow low, exalt Him, and encourage one another as servants of Yah.