The English, German, Latin, and Greek origins of the name Lisa may be traced to a Hebrew name. Though it is used as a feminine name in different cultures it always stems from the shortened form of Elisabeth or Elizabeth. Oath of God, God’s promise, devotion to God, and consecrated to God are some of the meanings for this name.
Though Lisa is a diminutive of Elisabeth it is commonly used as a first or middle name and became a popular choice in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s.
If you want to find out more about this beautiful name then keep reading. This article will look at the origins of Lisa in the Bible, Bible stories and verses with the name, and also the biblical and spiritual meanings of this unique name.
3 Biblical meanings of Lisa
The Bible origins of Lisa are very helpful for understanding the meaning of this name. Lisa is a shortened version of the biblical name Elizabeth and represents being fearless, blessed, and favored by God.
Fearless
You and your spouse may use this Hebrew girl’s name for your child to serve as a reminder that the Lord will be with you throughout your pregnancy and as you parent your child. As you bring up your child, you will be fearless knowing that the Lord will help you and uphold you.
Another reason why this name is the perfect choice for motivating your daughter is that she will learn to be fearless as she places her trust in God.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Blessed by the Lord
The Lord had a plan for Elisabeth and her baby when He sent Gabrielle to speak with Zachariah in the temple. His plan was to bless her with a child and use the child to witness to others and bring blessings to their lives.
Lisa is a powerful name because it is a reflection of God’s blessings and a reminder of how He desires to make us prosperous and hopeful.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Favored
Lisa is the perfect name to give your child if you want her to find favor in God’s sight. Luke 1:25 shows how Elizabeth felt favored by God. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor…”. The biblical significance of this first name is that it will allow your child to increase “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52) as she grows.
3 spiritual meanings of Lisa
You may want to find out the spiritual meaning of the name Lisa before using it for your little girl. Dedicated to God, a vessel of honor, and filled with the Spirit are some of the good things that this name represents.
Dedicated to God
Naming your child Lisa is a great way to say that you are going to pledge her to the Lord. This will also serve as a motivating factor for Lisa to strengthen her spiritual roots and dedicate herself to God. She may use her time, talents, gifts, and other abilities to bless others and minister to Christ.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV)
Vessel of honor
The Lord told Manaoh’s wife not to consume fermented drinks or eat unclean foods because she was being used as a vessel to carry Samson. Mary the mother of Jesus, was chosen as a vessel of honor because of her purity.
Though it is a pretty short name, Lisa’s meaning is spiritual. This name will motivate your child to be used as a vessel of honor for the Lord in how she behaves and how she cares for her body.
Filled with the Spirit
Lisa will go well with almost any last name because the bearer of this name will allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through her. Lisa, a shortened form of Elizabeth is a reminder to always be open to the workings of the Spirit.
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41 NIV)
What does Lisa mean in Hebrew?
The Hebrew meaning for the name Lisa is positive and links directly to God. This is a name of Hebrew origin with two other variations. In the Hebrew language, Amarya is a masculine name while Lisa and Elisheva are Hebrew baby names for girls. Lisa means promise of God, Elisheva means devoted to God or pledge to God, and Amarya means the word of God.
The Origins of Lisa in the Bible
Since the name Lisa is a short form of Elizabeth and stems from the Hebrew name Elisheva these two names are the key to tracing the origin of the name Lisa. The Biblical origin may point to actual persons and also promises or oaths that the Lord made.
Aaron’s wife
Elisheba was a female Old Testament Bible character who was the wife of Aaron. She was also the daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nashon, and mother of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
“Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Exodus 6:23 NIV)
Descendant of Aaron
Elizabeth was a New Testament character, the wife of Zechariah, and the mother of John. The Lord gave John to Elizabeth and Zachariah as promised children when they were very old.
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.” (Luke 1:5 NIV)
Salvation promise
One of the first promises that the Lord made was after the fall of Adam and Eve in Eden. Though the first couple caused sin, death, and suffering to enter the world, the Lord promised that He would save humankind.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 NIV)
Rainbow promise
After the flood, the Lord made a covenant that He would not send another flood to destroy humans and other living things. As a reminder of this promise, the Lord placed a rainbow in the sky. Each time a rainbow is seen we are reminded of this covenant that the Lord made.
“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.” (Genesis 9:9-10 NIV)
The name Lisa is a reminder of the promises that God made to Elizabeth, Adam and Eve, and Noah.
What Bible verses contain Lisa?
Amarya (Amariah), the male Hebrew name for Lisa, is found in the Bible fourteen times in the first and second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zephaniah.
“Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with courage, and may the Lord be with those who do well.” (2 Chronicles 19:11 NIV)
Amarya means the word of God and this phrase is also found in a number of Bible verses where the Lord spoke to a prophet.
“The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:” (Zephaniah 1:1 NIV)
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)
Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible record promises of God made to His people.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
“But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” (Luke 1:13 NIV)
4 Stories about Lisa in the Bible
Apart from the story of Elizabeth where God promised to give her a child, there are many other stories about the oaths and promises of God.
God made a promise to Abraham
Abraham was almost one hundred years old when the Lord promised that he would have a son and become the father of a great nation.
“No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:5-7 NIV)
Samson the promised son
The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and made a promise that she would have a son and he would help to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines.
“You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5 NIV)
Hannah devoted Samuel to the Lord
Hannah was unable to have a child so she prayed and asked the lord to bless her. The Lord answered her prayer and she became pregnant. In a selfless act, Hannah devoted her only child Samuel to the Lord.
“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life, he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28 NIV)
God promised Barak victory
Through the prophetess Deborah, the Lord gave Barak a promise that Jabin’s army would be defeated.
“I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.” (Judges 4:7 NIV)
Conclusion
Lisa is fearless, blessed, and favored by God. The name is a shortened version of Elisabeth and is an excellent choice for any parent to use as a baby girl’s name. The biblical origin of this name is linked to the Bible character Elizabeth, the mother of John and wife of Zachariah.
There are many Bible verses and stories that look at oaths/promises of God that help to create an understanding of the spiritual meaning of this name.