What Does Matthew 12:21 Mean?

And in his nature the nations will wait.

Matthew 12:21 · SDV

Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.

Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.

This verse in the King James

King James wording

King James Version

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

THE KEY

The nations place their hope in his nature, the character carried by his name.

THE MEANING

This verse opens trust to the nations: people across boundaries place their hope in his nature. His name points to who he is, the character their hope rests on.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Hope in him is not reserved for people of one ancestry; the verse names the Gentiles among those who trust.

THE ROOT

ὄνομα

onoma

GROWS FROM

ὀνομ-

onom-

Name; a designation that identifies and makes someone known.

The phrase places trust in the nature disclosed by his name, not merely in a sound or title. The verse names the Gentiles too: his nature becomes a ground for hope across peoples.

ALSO GROWS

onomazō: To name or call.

ὀνομάζω

Naming makes an identity known; here, his name carries the nature in which the nations trust.

onomastos: Named, renowned.

ὀνομαστός

A name can carry a recognized character, deepening the sense of trust placed in who he is.

THE PATTERN

A nature made known becomes ground for trust across peoples.

Those who know your name lean their weight on you, for you do not let go of those who seek you, LORD.

Psalm 9:10 · SDVKnowing the name and trusting in the one named appear together.

And in that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; to him nations will seek, and his settling place will carry weight.

Isaiah 11:10 · SDVThe nations seek the one whose presence gathers them beyond their own people.

And again, Isaiah says, There will be a root of Jesse, and the one who rises to rule the nations; upon him the nations will hope.

Romans 15:12 · SDVThe nations’ trust is again placed in the one who rises to reign over them.

THE THREAD

And again, Isaiah says, There will be a root of Jesse, and the one who rises to rule the nations; upon him the nations will hope.

Romans 15:12 · SDV

Both verses use ⁨ἐλπίζω⁩ (elpizō, to hope or trust) for the Gentiles’ response. Matthew locates that hope in his name; Romans says “in him,” bringing the person and the nature carried by his name together.

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