Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; (ASV)
PHIL 2:9
Philippians 2:9 in the Greek New Testament
διὸ καὶ ὁ Θεὸς αὐτὸν ὑπερύψωσε καὶ ἐχαρίσατο αὐτῷ ὄνομα τὸ ὑπὲρ πᾶν ὄνομα
wherefore also the God him {highly exalted} and gave {to him} name the above every name
You will have noticed by now I am sure the contrast between the translations or versions which choose “a name” and the versions which choose “the name”. I have highlighted the contrast for you by colouring the difference in the translations and grouping them.
A Name
- (ISV) Now lifted up by God to heaven, a name above all others given, this matchless name possessing.
- (JUB) Therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name,
- (KJV) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
- (LITV) Because of this also God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name,
- (MKJV) Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name,
- (Murdock) Wherefore, also, God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is more excellent than all names;
- (TLB) Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name which is above every other name,
The Name
- (ASV) Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;
- (BBE) For this reason God has put him in the highest place and has given to him the name which is greater than every name;
- (CJB) Therefore God raised him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name;
- (ERV) So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
- (ESV) Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
- (GNB) For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
- (GW) This is why God has given him an exceptional honour- the name honoured above all other names-
- (NLT) Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names,
- (RV) Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;
- (TLV) For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name,
- (TS2009) Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name,
Attempts to By Pass the Problem
- (CEV) Then God gave Christ the highest place and honoured his name above all others.
- (MSG) Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything, ever,
- (TPT) Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names!
Let’s Unpack Paul’s Intention Further
What is going here and why do the last three translations try to get around the problem by coming up with a different approach rather than addressing the complication in the text? The issue is the presence in the text of the anarthrous use of the first [ὄνομα] “a name”. Why did Paul use the word for name without the definite article? This use is unusual especially when we are dealing with the key part of what he (Paul) wanted to say. It has thrown the commentators into deep discussion over Paul’s intention behind the text.
- What is the meaning or intention of this anarthrous noun?
- Why didn’t Paul put the noun with the definite article?
- Why did he leave it indefinite? What do you think dear reader?
- How do we explain this?
- What was Paul meaning?
The following words show us clearly. [τὸ ὑπὲρ πᾶν ὄνομα] is a complex relative noun phrase meaning “the above every name” which is added in apposition to explain the meaning or the intention of the first use of “a name”. i.e. Paul is meaning: God gave to him a name, the name that is above every name, name. It is a way of intensifying his meaning or purpose. But the commentators have gone into debate over the meaning of THE NAME.
- The name given was Jesus Christ.
- The first name should be translated as “title“.
- The name given is a revelation of the Name for God and Christ.
- “The name” and not “a name” is meant. i.e. it is mistake.
- This strange construction is a way of indicating the name is not used to distinguish one individual from another by name but is used to show the character or status.
- The name given was Lord.
- The name given was LORD.
- The name given was Jehovah.
- The name given was YHWH.
- The name given was Jesus.
- The name given was Ha Shem “The Hebrew word meaning “The Name” signifying the actual Divine Presence.
- “A high rank” is meant as such and not any specific name is being referred to.
Well there are the options according to the experts, the commentators. I hope it is clear to you now. I will leave you to ponder your conclusion until the next Gem. Dear Reader, what do you conclude about this? It appears that your guess is as good as anyone else’s. Perhaps you could come up with a new innovative alternative. Or maybe you have read someone else’s interpretation and would like the add that to the list. I will tell you my conclusion in the next Gem.
The commentators and experts in the Law often miss little Gems because their minds are set on certain standard interpretations.
As they say, sometimes the truth hurts. But it hurts more when we wish to hold on to untruth rather than confess our error.
I loathe the thought of speaking of the glory of God or the joy He gives in a way that is so familiar or stale or clichéd that it wakens no sense of wonder.
There are times as both children and adults when we know what we should say but we just don’t want to confess it. So we come up with round about ways of not saying what we know we should say.
Ian Vail
‘the name’ is a title in my humble opinion. Pacific cultures do a similar thing especially Samoans, and we do Queen’s Honours.