There are a number of hypotheses. Most of them support one religious belief or another. One reasonable explanation is that Shaul (Hebrew), or Saul (English), chose to become Paul in a desire to appear more Romanized. This is not unlike an immigrant to the US named Bershevsky choosing to be renamed as Bear. Another explanation of my own, which I prefer, is that Jews often have multiple names, as a function of living in Diaspora. Ones Hebrew name is captured by the Jewish community; e.g., Shaul ben X, where X is his fathers (first) name. When one lives in Diaspora, there often is another name used for official, legal reasons, captured on birth certificates and secular marriage and death certificates. This is prevalent in Europe and in the US. So, a Jew might be named Bernard within secular society, but receive the Hebrew name Dov or Barak. Similarly, Shaul ben X may have been simultaneously known as Paul of Tarsus. This explanation interestingly does not necessitate a change of name. Shaul or Saul does not become Paul. Shaul or Saul is Paul from the very beginning. This is simply a case where an individual is known by more than one name, as a function of religious and cultural context. If you read Acts 13:9, it is consistent with my explanation. 9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 12:03:23 +0000
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