What Does The Name Luna Mean In The Bible?

The name Luna has become increasingly popular in recent years. But what does this mystical, celestial name actually mean in the context of the Bible? Read on to discover the fascinating biblical meaning and significance behind the name Luna.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The name Luna does not appear in the Bible. However, it likely derives from the Latin word for moon, which is significant in biblical texts.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the meaning of Luna through a biblical lens, analyze moon symbolism throughout the Bible, examine related biblical names, and discuss whether Luna is actually a biblical name after all.

The Meaning and Origin of the Name Luna

The name Luna is a feminine name that has Latin origins and means “moon.” While a beautiful name, it does not actually appear anywhere in the Bible itself. However, there are some interesting connections between the name and lunar goddesses worshipped by ancient cultures.

Let’s explore the meaning, origin, and biblical connections of this luminous name.

Luna Means “Moon” in Latin

In Latin, the word “luna” directly translates to “moon.” This is where the name Luna gets its primary meaning. Latin is the origin language of the ancient Romans, who were known to worship several lunar goddesses. The Latin meaning provides the name with a mysterious, celestial, and mystical feel.

It Does Not Appear in the Bible Itself

While Luna is growing in popularity as a given name today, it does not actually show up anywhere in the Bible. There are no characters, places, or direct biblical references to the name Luna itself. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some interesting and related connections!

Possible Connections to Lunar Deities

Here are some potential biblical and mythological connections to the name Luna:

• In Roman mythology, Luna was the goddess of the moon. She was considered a divine embodiment of the moon itself.
• In Greek mythology, there were also several lunar goddesses associated with the moon including Selene, Artemis, and Hecate.
• The feast of Passover in the Old Testament was set by the phases of the moon (Leviticus 23).
• The cycle of the moon was important in setting Jewish holy days and feasts in the Bible.
• Some view Luna as a variation of the name Selene meaning “moon” in Greek mythology.
• The moon’s cycles were essential to ancient cultures for telling time, agriculture, and even worship.

Significance of the Moon in the Bible

The Moon as a Symbol of God’s Power and Majesty

The moon is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of God’s power, majesty, and faithfulness. Here are some examples:

• In Genesis 1:16, God created the sun and moon on the fourth day. This shows God’s power and creativity in fashioning the universe.
• The Psalmist praises God’s majesty by saying “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). The moon and stars reflect God’s glory.
• “He made the moon for the seasons” (Psalm 104:19). The moon helps mark the seasons, showing God’s orderly design.
• Isaiah says God “established the moon forever and the sun knows its going down” (Isaiah 60:20). The moon’s permanence reflects God’s steadfastness.

The Moon as a Marker of Time

The cycles of the moon helped ancient people keep track of time before modern calendars existed. Here are some biblical examples of how the moon marked time:

• God instituted festivals and holidays to be celebrated at certain times based on the moon’s phases (Exodus 12:2, Leviticus 23:5).
• The new moon marked the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar (Numbers 10:10, 28:11).
• Sabbath days were counted from one new moon to the next (2 Kings 4:23).
• The moon’s cycles helped mark when to plant and harvest crops (Psalm 104:19).

So the rhythms of the moon structured the religious festivals and agricultural seasons of ancient Israel.

References to the Moon’s Cycles and Phases

The different phases of the moon are also mentioned in the Bible:

• In his prophetic dream, Joseph saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him (Genesis 37:9), representing his whole family.
• The full moon was associated with prosperity and growth (Deuteronomy 33:14).
• The new moon celebrations included sacrificial offerings and feasting (1 Samuel 20:5, 2 Kings 4:23).
• The moon’s monthly cycle became a metaphor for God’s enduring love: “His love endures forever” (Psalm 136 repeats this 26 times!)

Biblical Names Related to Luna

Selene: Greek Moon Goddess

In Greek mythology, Selene was the goddess of the moon. Her name means “moon” in Greek. Selene was the daughter of Hyperion, one of the Titans, and sister to Helios, the sun god, and Eos, the goddess of dawn.

She was often depicted as a beautiful woman riding a chariot pulled by two white horses or oxen. Selene’s lunar light was symbolic of the cycles of the moon and the rhythm of time. She had the power to make people fall asleep or become frenzied with her magic moonbeams.

Some myths connect Selene with the Roman moon goddess, Luna, suggesting a shared cult and ritual tradition surrounding the moon in the ancient Mediterranean world.

Phoebe: Titan Goddess of the Moon

In Greek mythology, Phoebe was a Titan associated with the moon. She was the daughter of Uranus and Gaia and sister to titans like Cronus and Rhea. Phoebe means “bright, pure” which evokes the radiance of the moon’s glowing light.

As a Titan goddess, she was revered in prophecy and occult magic and controlled the moon’s cycles and tides. Phoebe later became strongly associated with the moon goddess Artemis in classical myth. The moon’s orbit around Saturn is named after Phoebe as a nod to her primal lunar powers.

The early Christians called the Delphic priestess of Apollo the “Phoebe” which suggests how her lunar occultism endured even after the Olympians superseded the Titans in mythic importance.

Artemis: Goddess Associated with the Moon

In Greek mythology, Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo. She was the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, and virginity. Artemis was often depicted as a young maiden dressed in a short knee-length chiton and equipped with a hunting bow and arrow.

Though not originally a moon goddess, several legends grew over time that connected her to Selene, the original Greek personification of the moon. For example, Artemis was said to drive a silver chariot across the sky at night like Selene.

She also represented the waxing crescent moon while her brother Apollo embodied the sun. By the Hellenistic period, Artemis became fully integrated as a lunar deity while retaining her own distinctive iconography and domain over the wild woodlands and creatures.

Is Luna Really a Biblical Name?

Not Mentioned Explicitly in Scripture

The name Luna does not appear verbatim in the text of the Bible. You won’t find any Lunas, biblical heroines, or minor characters by that name in Scripture. This means that while Luna may have spiritual meaning, it doesn’t have explicit biblical origins.

Derives from Latin Rather than Hebrew

Most biblical names derive from Hebrew origins. Names like John (Yochanan), Elizabeth (Elisheva), Adam, and Eve have clear Hebrew language roots. Luna comes from Latin, the language of ancient Rome, rather than from the Hebrew language.

The Latin word “luna” referred to the moon, Earth’s natural satellite. So while the Bible references the moon frequently as a symbol and to mark days and seasons, the name itself has Latin origins.

Still Has Spiritual Meaning and Significance

Though not a Hebrew name, Luna still carries spiritual meaning. Luna has several symbolic biblical associations that can make it a good name choice for people of faith.

In the Bible, the moon marks seasons and days, so Luna is a representation of God’s orderly timing and seasons (Psalm 104:19). The moon also reflects the light of the sun, with its glory depending fully on shining the light it receives.

We also reflect God’s glory in a similar way (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The regular rhythms of the moon can inspire wonder about the beauty and mystery of creation. As such, the name Luna reflects the creative handiwork of God.

Conclusion

While the name Luna does not appear verbatim in the Bible, it encapsulates rich biblical symbolism through its lunar associations. The moon carries deep spiritual meaning in scripture, serving as a representation of God’s majesty and luminous guidance.

Luna also relates to Greek and Roman moon goddesses referenced in biblical texts. So despite its Latin roots, Luna can still be considered a meaningful, evocative biblical name.