What is the meaning of 'hallowed' in the Lord's Prayer?

The Lord’s Prayer, often called the “Our Father,” is one of the most well-known and frequently recited prayers in Christianity. It is a prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, and it is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (6:9-13) and Luke (11:2-4). One of the key phrases in this prayer is “hallowed be thy name.” To understand the meaning of “hallowed” in the Lord’s Prayer, we need to delve into the linguistic, theological, and spiritual significance of the term.

The word “hallowed” comes from the Old English word “halig,” which means holy. In the context of the Lord’s Prayer, “hallowed” is a translation of the Greek word “ἁγιασθήτω” (hagiastheto), which is derived from the verb “ἁγιάζω” (hagiazō), meaning to sanctify or make holy. Therefore, when we say “hallowed be thy name,” we are expressing a desire and acknowledgment that God’s name is holy and should be revered.

In biblical times, a name was more than just a label; it represented the character, reputation, and essence of a person. Thus, God's name encompasses His entire being, His nature, and His attributes. To hallow God’s name means to honor, revere, and glorify Him in all aspects of our lives. It is an acknowledgment of His supreme holiness and an expression of our deep respect and adoration for Him.

The concept of God’s holiness is central to the biblical narrative. In the Old Testament, God’s holiness is a recurring theme. For instance, in Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim call out to one another, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” This threefold repetition of “holy” underscores the absolute and unparalleled holiness of God. Similarly, in Exodus 3:5, when God appears to Moses in the burning bush, He instructs Moses to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. These examples illustrate the profound reverence and awe that God’s holiness commands.

When Jesus teaches us to pray “hallowed be thy name,” He is inviting us to enter into a relationship with God that is marked by reverence and awe. It is a call to recognize and honor God’s holiness in our daily lives. This petition is not merely a statement but a request that God’s name be treated as holy by all people. It is a prayer that God’s holiness be acknowledged and revered throughout the world.

In addition to acknowledging God’s holiness, “hallowed be thy name” also carries an ethical and moral dimension. As believers, we are called to reflect God’s holiness in our own lives. In Leviticus 11:44, God commands the Israelites, “Be holy, because I am holy.” This call to holiness is reiterated in the New Testament in 1 Peter 1:15-16, where Peter writes, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” To hallow God’s name means to live in a way that honors and reflects His holiness. It means living a life of integrity, righteousness, and love, in accordance with God’s commandments.

Furthermore, “hallowed be thy name” is a recognition of our dependence on God’s grace and power. Holiness is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a work of God in us. In Hebrews 12:14, we are exhorted to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” This verse highlights the importance of pursuing holiness, but it also implies that holiness is a gift from God. It is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we are sanctified and made holy.

The phrase “hallowed be thy name” also has a communal aspect. It is a prayer not just for individual holiness but for the collective acknowledgment of God’s holiness by the entire community of believers and, ultimately, by all of humanity. In Revelation 4:8-11, we see a vision of heavenly worship where the living creatures and the elders continually praise God, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” This vision of heavenly worship serves as a model for us on earth. When we pray “hallowed be thy name,” we are joining in the chorus of worship that resounds in heaven and longing for the day when God’s holiness will be fully recognized and celebrated by all creation.

Moreover, “hallowed be thy name” is a call to mission. As followers of Christ, we are called to bear witness to God’s holiness in the world. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissions His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Part of our mission is to proclaim the holiness of God and to invite others to join in revering and honoring His name.

Christian literature also provides valuable insights into the meaning of “hallowed be thy name.” In his book “The Lord and His Prayer,” N.T. Wright emphasizes that when we pray for God’s name to be hallowed, we are asking for a radical transformation of our world. Wright writes, “We are praying that the whole world may reverence God, turn to him, and live in obedience to him. We are praying that idolatry may be overthrown, and that the true God may be worshipped.” This perspective highlights the transformative power of this petition and its implications for our world.

Similarly, in his classic work “The Cost of Discipleship,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer reflects on the significance of hallowing God’s name. He writes, “The hallowing of the name of God is the ultimate goal of the kingdom of God. The name of God, which has been profaned by the world, must be hallowed again, and this is what we pray for in the Lord’s Prayer.” Bonhoeffer’s words remind us that hallowing God’s name is not just a personal endeavor but a cosmic one, involving the redemption and restoration of all creation.

In summary, the phrase “hallowed be thy name” in the Lord’s Prayer is a profound expression of reverence and adoration for God’s holiness. It is a recognition of God’s supreme and unparalleled holiness and a call to honor and revere His name in our daily lives. It carries an ethical and moral dimension, calling us to reflect God’s holiness in our actions and character. It acknowledges our dependence on God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification. It has a communal aspect, inviting us to join in the heavenly chorus of worship and to pray for the collective acknowledgment of God’s holiness by all humanity. It is also a call to mission, urging us to bear witness to God’s holiness in the world. Through this petition, we are invited to participate in the transformative and redemptive work of God, as we seek to hallow His name in our lives and in our world.