The biblical meaning of James
If you are in search of a classic boys’ name for your child then James is an excellent choice. This name has been around since biblical times and has strong biblical meanings. James is a disciple, family member, and friend of Christ.
Follower of Christ
James was among the men who Jesus called to be his disciple. Using James as a baby name is an excellent way to remind him that as a follower of Christ, he should willingly respond when the Savior bids him ‘come follow me’.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:21-22 NIV)
Family member of Jesus
We are all members of God’s family which means Jesus is our brother. Some may consider James a common name but it’s a great given name to remind him that one James was a brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55) and another was a cousin of Jesus.
Friend of Christ
Biblical records show James as one of the apostles of Jesus and a friend who was always close by. The transfiguration of Christ and the story of Jairus’ daughter showed that James was a near and dear friend. This makes James an excellent first or middle name for your child as you teach him to develop a personal relationship with the Savior.
The biblical meaning of the name James shows that he is a follower of Christ, family member of Jesus, and a friend of Christ.
The spiritual meaning of James
The word supplanter makes most parents uncomfortable, this coupled with the story of Jacob and how he took away his brother’s birthright may shed a negative light on the name James. There is no need to worry because there is a positive side to this name.
Claims his blessing
Jacob the Old Testament supplanter, wrestled all night with the Lord in order to claim his blessing. This shows that James is one of those baby boy names that will inspire your child to honor the will of God and earnestly seek his blessing in all areas of life.
Another spiritual lesson from Jacob’s story is that James can be hopeful knowing that it’s never too late to repent and turn to the Lord.
Closely follow at the heel of God
The same way that Jacob’s birth showed him clinging to the heel of his twin brother is the same way that James closely follows the heel of God. Using James as a first name for your child will motivate him to cling to Christ and follow him wholeheartedly.
The spiritual meaning of James shows that he will claim his blessing and he will cling to the feet of the Lord.
James is a Latin name that stems from the word Iocobus and from the Greek word Iákōbos which means leg puller, heel-grabber, held by the heel or supplanter. The name also has royal roots and became a popular name after Scottish King James VI took over the English throne in the 17th century.
Thanks to its roots as a royal and biblical name, James is among common boys’ names that has been used in the United States since the 1900s.
If you wish to learn more about the meaning and origin of the name James then keep reading. This article will explore the biblical and spiritual significance of this unique name while sharing Bible verses and stories.
What does James mean in Hebrew?
The English name James is translated as Yaakova and Yaakov in the Hebrew language. The Hebrew name Yaakov along with its feminine form means held by the heel or he who supplants. James and the Hebrew name Jacob share the same root and have a similar meaning.
The origins of James in the Bible
James is a name of Hebrew origin which stems from the Hebrew name ya’aqov. The biblical origins of James point to the Old Testament character Jacob in the book of Genesis.
Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and brother of Esau. He was named holder of the heel because he grabbed his brother’s heel during his birth.
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. 26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. (Genesis 25:24-26 NIV)
What Bible verses contain James?
The name James is found in many scripture passages. Here are some verses with the name James.
1. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; (Matthew 10:3 NIV)
2. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? (Matthew 13:55 NIV)
3. He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. (Mark 5:37 NIV)
4. After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. (Mark 9:2 NIV)
5. When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. (Luke 8:51 NIV)
Stories about James in the Bible
There are a number of stories about James in the Bible. He was an apostle of the early Christian church and a disciple of Christ. James was also present at significant events such as the miracle with Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:51) and the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1-2).
Final thought
James is a boys’ name and a variant of the biblical Latin form iacobus. The biblical meaning of this name shows that James is a follower of Christ, family member of Jesus, and a close friend of Christ.
This name has powerful spiritual significance and shows that James will claim his blessings and closely follow at the heel of God. This classic name is an excellent choice to name your baby boy or another family member.