Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

My name is Michael Tsaphah, and my grandmother gave me my first name. My mom and dad, after adopting me want to give me a name. They tried to provide me with a name of meaning.

Names like Burney for the rye bourbon they drank or Scotty for the Scotch whiskey. I was even going to be a Raymond Edward Jones the III. But according to my mother, she talked my dad out of doing that tragedy. Meanwhile, my grandmother, a solemn prayer warrior and Saint of God asked God, “What would be my name?”

Minutes later, she got her answer. “Turn to Daniel the twelfth chapter and the first verses,” which read:

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

In her soul, she heard this is the name you will call this child. So, my grandmother entered the front room where my drunken parents were sitting, and I was in my crib. She walked over to look and my big hands and feet. Roberta said, “The boy’s name is going to be ‘Michael’ y’all can do whatever you want for a middle name.”

So, my parents christened me in Saint Michael of the Archangel Catholic Church, Michael Raymond Jones, and I later found out from a Jewish Rabbi that my name asked a question, which my name means: ‘Who is like God?’

I was a terrible alcoholic; no surprise there, huh? Well, the fact that I offended my mother with my drunken behavior and being a hypocrite of a Christian caused my parents to disown me and drop my name off, receiving an inheritance.

I got nothing from my parents after their death, not even the things I wanted the most, which were the picture of my childhood. These pictures were more valuable than anything money could buy. Many of my Marine Corps pictures, Christmas photos, and awards and treasures could never replace these memories.

I was so angry that I began to pray, and God gave me my answer. He spoke to my soul as my grandmother did and called me Michael Tsaphah. I asked him to spell it for me. And it was the current spell, and I was told to look it up.

צפה  (pronounced tsâphâh). 1) to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch; 1a) (Qal) to keep watch, spy: 1b) (Piel) to watch, watch closely.

So, that is the meaning of my name. I am a watchman over the United States of America. I watch and pray for our country, and my boss, my “M” is God, and I am in Our Majesty’s service King Jesus Christ. I am Michael Tsaphah for the Chronicle.