2 Biblical meanings of Melissa
Looking at the life of Bible characters who had the Hebrew versions of the name Melissa may help to unveil the name’s meaning.
Trusted leader
The name Deborah not only means bee but shows that females can be exceptional leaders. Melissa can be a trusted leader who allows herself to be used by the Lord even in a male-dominated society.
According to 2 Kings 5:1, Naaman (a masculine Hebrew version of the name Melissa) was a leader who was trusted by his king and favored by the Lord. If Ruth didn’t trust Naomi as the new leader of their family, she would not have left her homeland and made the journey back to Bethlehem with her.
A friend
A Naamathite was among the friends who visited Job during his tribulations. They spent time with Job, counseled, and comforted him during his sufferings.
“When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.” (Job 2:11 NIV)
3 spiritual meanings of Melissa
Melissa is the perfect name to give to your child because within this name there are many powerful inspirational messages. Drawing from the Greek and Hebrew meaning this name represents sweetness, endurance, and transformation.
Sweet personality
If you want your daughter to capture the essence of the honey bee then Melissa is a fitting middle or first name. Each time you call her Melissa, you will be affirming her to work hard and exude sweetness.
Endurance
Naomi, an Old Testament Bible character who displayed resilience and perseverance after experiencing the loss of her husband and sons, demonstrated what endurance means. Melissa is the English name for Naomi, and it’s a great way to remind your child to endure and not give up.
Melissa will know that life is not easy and will be determined to face her challenges and remain hopeful.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4 NIV)
Transformation
Even amid the worst situation, Melissa will have faith knowing that God can change things for the better. The Lord transformed Naaman the leper because he was obedient. There is hope in knowing that the Lord can transform anyone or anything.
“So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” (2 Kings 5:14 NIV)
Melissa has Greek and Gaelic origins
The name Melissa has Greek and Gaelic origins. This given name which means honey bee derives from the Greek word mélissa which means bee. Mélissa came from the word meli which means honey. Melissa’s Greek origins are also associated with Greek mythology about a nymph who took care of young Zeus and gave him honey.
Melissa is the female given name for the Gaelic Maoilíosa which means Servant of Jesus. It is a classic name that has been used in the United States since the 1800s and became a popular name in the late 1970s.
If you are interested in using Melissa as a baby girl name or just want to learn more about it you are in the right place. This article will look at the Hebrew and Bible origin, the biblical and spiritual meanings, along with Bible verses and Bible stories to help uncover the meaning of the name Melissa.
What does Melissa mean in Hebrew?
There are seven Hebrew names with a similar meaning to Melissa. Avinoam, Meged, and Naaman are masculine names while Devora, Mirit, Naama, and Naomi are the names used for baby girls.
Avinoam means blessed father or my father is a delight. Meged means blessing or goodness and Naaman means to be pleasant or pleasantness.
The Hebrew word Devora means bee, Mirit means of the sea or bitter, Naama means beautiful or good looking, and Naomi means pleasant or gentle.
The Origins of Melissa in the Bible
Though it’s not a biblical name the Hebrew equivalents may be used to trace the origin of Melissa in the Bible. Avinoam (Abinoam), Naama, Naaman, and Naomi are all Bible characters.
Avinoam or Abinoam was the father of Barak the great warrior who defeated Sisera.
“She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor.” (Judges 4:6 NIV)
Naama (Naamah) was the sister of a toolmaker.
“Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.” (Genesis 4:22 NIV
Another bearer of this name was the daughter of the king of Aram, mother of Rehoboam, and wife of King Solomon.
“Rehoboam son of Solomon was king in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name. His mother’s name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite.” (1 Kings 14:21)
The earliest mention of the name Naaman is found in Genesis chapter forty-six. The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard. (Genesis 46:21 NIV) Another Old Testament character from Syria also had this name.
“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1 NIV)
Naomi was the wife of Elimelek and mother-in-law of Ruth.
“The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.” (Ruth 1:2 NIV)
What Bible verses contain Melissa?
Though the actual word Melissa may not be found in the Holy Scriptures there are Bible verses in both the Old and New Testaments that look at bee, honey, or mention the Hebrew versions of this name.
One Bible verse that mentions honey and bees is Judges 14:8.
“Sometime later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion’s carcass, and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey.” (Judges 14:8 NIV)
The New Testament book of Luke made mention of Naaman the leper.
“And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:27 NIV)
3 Stories about Melissa in the Bible
Though the name of Melissa is not found in the Bible, the Hebrew equivalents for this name are found in many Bible stories.
The Story of Naomi
After her husband and two sons died Naomi decided to return to her homeland with her daughter-in-law Ruth. They faced many obstacles but they were able to endure them with the help of God.
“Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there for about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.” (Ruth 1:3-5 NIV)
The Story of Deborah
Deborah was a trusted leader who allowed herself to be used by the Lord. It was through her leadership and direction that the people of God gained victory over their enemies.
“Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.” (Judges 4:4 NIV)
The story of Naaman
Naaman the leper was miraculously healed by the power of God after obeying the prophet and dipping himself in the Jordan River.
“Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (2 Kings 5:10 NIV)
Conclusion
The gender of Melissa is predominantly female though in Hebrew this name is both a boy’s or girl’s name. The Greek name definition means bee or honey bee. The Hebrew versions of this name have other meanings which include pleasant, beautiful, blessing, and goodness.