To speak of someone’s “name” in this sense is a way of referring to their “character,” “personality,” or “reputation.” To know the name of a human being is to know some essential truth about the person’s character. To put it in modern terms, a name gives us “a mini personality profile.” It is easy for us to underestimate the significance of such a profile. We live in a age of police checks and credit ratings. Those living in biblical times did not. They could only go on the basis of the name. No wonder Proverbs tells us that a “good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is
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