יְהוֹשֻׁעַ
Yehoshua / Joshua
“The Lord is salvation”
Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “the lord is salvation,” pronounced “ye-ho-SHU-a.” From the divine name יהו (Yahu, short form of YHWH) + the root ישׁע (yasha, 'to save/deliver'). Moses renamed Hoshea son of Nun to Yehoshua (Numbers 13:16), adding God's name to 'salvation.'
| Hebrew | יְהוֹשֻׁעַ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yehoshua |
| English Name | Joshua |
| Meaning | The Lord is salvation |
| Pronunciation | ye-ho-SHU-a |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Yehoshua, Yeshua, Josué, Jesus, Iesous, Giosuè |
| Key Scripture | Joshua 1:9 |
Joshua's name carries one of the most profound theological connections in all of Scripture. Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ) means 'The Lord is salvation,' and its shortened form — Yeshua — is the Hebrew name of Jesus. This is not coincidence: just as Joshua led Israel through the Jordan into the Promised Land, Christians see Jesus leading humanity into eternal life. The name itself is a complete theological statement, combining God's personal name (YHWH) with the verb 'to save,' making every utterance of the name a declaration of divine rescue.
Key Scripture: Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
What Does Joshua Mean in Hebrew?
Composed of יְהוֹ (Yeho, theophoric element from YHWH) + שׁוּעַ (shua, from the root י-שׁ-ע meaning 'to save/deliver'). The contracted form יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua) was common in the Second Temple period and is the Hebrew name rendered 'Jesus' in Greek (Iesous).
Joshua in the Bible
Joshua was Moses' loyal assistant from youth, one of two faithful spies (with Caleb), and was commissioned by God to lead Israel into Canaan after Moses' death. He led the miraculous crossing of the Jordan, the fall of Jericho, and the conquest and division of the Promised Land. His farewell speech includes the famous declaration 'As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD' (Joshua 24:15).
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The direct linguistic connection between Joshua and Jesus (both from Yehoshua/Yeshua) is one of the most significant name links in religious history. Many Christian theologians see Joshua as a 'type' of Christ — a foreshadowing figure whose actions prophetically mirror Jesus' redemptive work.
Joshua has been a top-10 boys' name in the United States for decades and remains widely popular in English-speaking countries. In Israel, both Yehoshua (formal) and the shortened forms are in use, particularly in religious communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua
What does Joshua mean in Hebrew?
Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua) means “The Lord is salvation” in Hebrew. From the divine name יהו (Yahu, short form of YHWH) + the root ישׁע (yasha, 'to save/deliver'). Moses renamed Hoshea son of Nun to Yehoshua (Numbers 13:16), adding God's name to 'salvation.'
How do you pronounce Joshua in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Joshua is “ye-ho-SHU-a.” The name is written יְהוֹשֻׁעַ in Hebrew script.
Is Joshua the same name as Jesus?
Yes — both names derive from the Hebrew Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning 'The Lord is salvation.' Joshua is the English rendering of the full Hebrew form, while Jesus comes from the Greek Iesous (Ιησούς), which transliterates the shortened Aramaic form Yeshua. They are linguistically the same name.
What does Joshua mean in Hebrew?
Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua) means 'The Lord is salvation' or 'YHWH saves.' It combines the divine name element Yeho- (from YHWH) with the root yasha (to save). Moses gave this name to Hoshea son of Nun, adding the divine element to transform 'salvation' into 'God is salvation.'
What did Joshua do in the Bible?
Joshua succeeded Moses as leader of Israel and led the nation into the Promised Land. He commanded the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, led the conquest of Jericho (whose walls fell at a shout), and oversaw the division of Canaan among the twelve tribes. His military campaigns and faith made him one of the Bible's greatest leaders.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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