3:15

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name: The phrase from whom refers back to God the Father in 3:14. God is the one from whom each family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

whom: In the Berean Standard Bible, whom refers to God. (See the discussion on “whole family” below.)

every family: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as every generally means “all.” So there is an interpretation issue here. This phrase can mean:

(1) each or every family. For example:

…from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, English Standard Version)

According to this interpretation, the phrase translated as every family refers to human beings as well as angels.

(2) every family. For example:

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. (King James Version)

(New International Version, King James Version, God’s Word)

According to this interpretation, the phrase translated as every family refers to the whole family of believers: both those in heaven and those on earth.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of versions.

family in heaven and on earth: The phrase family in heaven and on earth is a figure of speech. The phrase in heaven refers to angels (beings who are spiritual or in heaven). The phrase on earth refers to humans (beings who are on earth).

The angels and humans are referred to as belonging to families. Here the word family refers to extended families like “clans” or “races,” or even “nations” of people. (It does not refer to the more common meaning of family consisting of a father, mother and their children.)

Since angels are not normally considered to be in families, the word family may cause some problems. For examples of ways to translate the phrase family in heaven and on earth, see below.

derives its name: The phrase derives its name is a figurative way to say that God gives every heavenly being and every human being its life and character. He is the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. He causes every group to exist.

Be careful to avoid a translation that gives the impression that God has given every family its surname.

Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from him. (Contemporary English Version)

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