Over here in the Republic of South Africa (and no one but me ever says
"Republic of"), Nelson R Mandela is most commonly known as
"Madiba". His birth name, given by his father was, "Rolihlahla"
which means pulling on a tree branch" and is used as a term for a
"troublemaker". Little did his father know...
The name "Nelson" was reported to be given by his missionary first-grade teacher. English names are commonly given to supplement the tribal name because they are easier for us foreigners to say and remember. The name, "Madiba" is the clan name of Mandela and refers to a former chieftain. Using this name is the highest honor since it associates the person with all his predecessors.
He is also commonly called "Tata" which is the Xhosa word for "father". The reason is obvious. Likewise he is sometimes called, “Khulu”, for "great or grand" and is also short for "grandfather".
What's in a name? G^d seems to think there is significance. He changed the names of many. Paul, Abraham, Israel, and others received names from G^d. As I mentioned many posts ago, we will also get a new name from G^d.
Check out Rev. 2:17, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'
Wow, that's a name indeed!
The name "Nelson" was reported to be given by his missionary first-grade teacher. English names are commonly given to supplement the tribal name because they are easier for us foreigners to say and remember. The name, "Madiba" is the clan name of Mandela and refers to a former chieftain. Using this name is the highest honor since it associates the person with all his predecessors.
He is also commonly called "Tata" which is the Xhosa word for "father". The reason is obvious. Likewise he is sometimes called, “Khulu”, for "great or grand" and is also short for "grandfather".
What's in a name? G^d seems to think there is significance. He changed the names of many. Paul, Abraham, Israel, and others received names from G^d. As I mentioned many posts ago, we will also get a new name from G^d.
Check out Rev. 2:17, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'
Wow, that's a name indeed!
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