At first glance, this petition may seem like a simple statement of adoration, like "Praise the Lord." But a closer look reveals a more profound meaning. The word hallowed, according to W. E. Vine, means "to make holy," to set apart. It means to consider something or someone the opposite of common.
In the Hebrew culture, a person’s name was more than a mere label—it was synonymous with his character or reputation. When a person’s name was mentioned, it brought to mind all that he was. In his book The Lord’s Prayer, E. F. Scott writes, "It was assumed in ancient thought that the personality of a man was somehow bound up with his name, so that when you uttered his name the man himself was affected." The Israelites held one name for God so sacred that it was spoken only once a year by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies.
The concept of hallowing a name appeared in modern times in a series of unusual magazine ads placed by Xerox Corporation. Their purpose was not to sell a product, but merely to stop people from using the word Xerox as a generic term for copier. The company wanted its name to be set apart, to be used only for copiers it deemed worthy of the trademark.
When we pray, "Hallowed be Your name," we are in part asking that God’s name would be set apart in a similar way—that people would not trivialize Him or take Him lightly.
What are you doing to help God’s name to be respected? Treat God and His name as uncommon so others will too. When you speak His name, make sure others notice how carefully you handle it.
Michael