Prophets who took the names of earlier figures

We have evidence from the New Testament that prophets were often thought to

attain the identity of earlier prophets:

"Many will come in my name and say, "I am he!" and they will lead many

astray. (Mark 13:6)

he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And

they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others

Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (Matt. 16:13-14 cf Luke 9:18-19; Matt.16:13-14)

Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead;

and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It

is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of

old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has

been raised." (Mark 6:14-16 cf Matt. 14:1-2)

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you

are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. (Matt. 11:13-14)

but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize

him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man

is about to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he

was speaking to them about John the Baptist. (Matt.17:12-13 cf Mark 9:13)

And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not."

(John 1:21)

Also note that Jesus was called "son of David".

Similarly, Socrates, the Church historian, wrote of "Moses" of Crete that he

"had the impudence to assert that he was Moses" (my italics). People did not

ask whether a prophet was like an early prophet. Rather they asked whether

he was the earlier prophet. It will be argued that in some cases prophets not

only modeled themselves after earlier persons, but also took their names.

The "Goliath" family tomb demonstrates that people could take as a nickname

the name of an earlier famous person.(1) Three people buried here were

named "Goliath". The name signified great physical stature.

The clearest New Testament example of a prophet being given the name of an

earlier figure is Jezebel (Rev 2:20).

The senate proposed that Octavian be named "Romulus", after the founder of

Rome.

(1)