Hallowed be Your name

"And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

"Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." Matthew 6:7 - 9

According to the Strong’ Exhaustive Concordance, in the Greek hallowed is: hagiazo [hag-ee-ad-zo]: to make holy; purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate. The Vines Expository Dictionary defines hallowed: to make holy; signifies to set a part for God, to make a person or thing the opposite of koinos = common. The American Heritage Dictionary defines hallowed: To make or set apart as holy; to respect or honor greatly; revere. And consecrate as: (verb) to make or declare sacred; set apart.

The literal translation of Matthew 6:9 is: Thus therefore pray ye: Father of us the [one] in the heavens; Let it be hallowed the name; of thee. (Interlinerar Greek-English New Testament- Nestle & Marshall) HOW COOL! I love this.

If I had always read this verse as: Our Father, who art in heaven, set apart is Your name. I may have understood the weight and import of what Jesus is telling us; I cannot say this for sure, but I think it is likely. It strikes me so strongly and has impacted how I think and feel about our heavenly Father, the only true God, my mind and heart can hardly contain and comprehend what little I do grasp.

I am amazed that His name is set apart and it is so holy that we cannot even truly know it. Yet, we can know Him. Our great God, whose name is set apart from all names and is unfathomable, yet He makes it possible for us to know Him. Jesus is that way, He is the One who reconciles us – connects us to His Father, who is our Father.

By the way God Has given Him a name that is also set apart, Philippians 2:9-11 9: Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

My having a more accurate understanding of the word “hallowed” has deepened my awe and love for God. I know I am just barely beginning to comprehend His love for me and you, but I am not tired of meditating on it. I like to let it roll over and over in my head and as I do, I feel drawn to do so more and more.