יְהוֹשׁוּעַ

From the study of Joshua 1:1

Range of meaning

A name formed from a short form of the divine name (Yeho-, from YHWH) plus a form usually linked to the root y-š-ʿ, 'to save, rescue, deliver, give victory.' The usual meaning is 'YHWH saves' or 'YHWH is salvation.' In Hebrew 'saving' (yāšaʿ) is mostly concrete: rescue from enemies, victory in battle, deliverance from danger.

Against the English

English 'Joshua' hides the meaning entirely. English 'salvation' tends to suggest rescue of the soul after death. In Joshua's name the sense is the concrete rescue and victory God gives his people, which is exactly the story the book tells.

Used elsewhere in the period

Numbers 13:16 says Moses renamed Hoshea ('he saves' / 'salvation') as Yehoshua, putting God's name into it. The later form Yeshua appears for Joshua in Neh 8:17. The Septuagint renders the name Iēsous, and the New Testament twice uses Iēsous for Joshua (Acts 7:45; Heb 4:8, where the KJV actually prints 'Jesus'). Matthew 1:21 explains Jesus' name on the same root: 'he will save his people.'

From the study of Joshua 6:27

Range of meaning

Personal name built from the divine name (Yeho-) and the root for saving or rescuing (yshʿ), so 'Yahweh saves' or 'Yahweh is help'. Moses renamed Hoshea ('he saves', or 'salvation') as Yehoshua (Num 13:16). The Greek form is Iēsous, the same name later borne by Jesus.

Against the English

English 'Joshua' hides the meaning of the name.

Used elsewhere in the period

Num 13:16; in the Septuagint and the New Testament the name appears as Iēsous (e.g. Acts 7:45; Heb 4:8, which refer to Joshua son of Nun).

From the study of Numbers 14:6

Range of meaning

A personal name made from a shortened form of YHWH and a word from the root ישׁע, "to save, deliver, give room/rescue". It means "YHWH saves" or "YHWH is deliverance". His earlier name, Hoshea, meant simply "save!" or "salvation".

Against the English

English "Joshua" hides the meaning of the name. Many readers also do not realise that the Greek form of this name is Iēsous, "Jesus". The LXX uses Ἰησοῦς for Joshua throughout, and the KJV even says "Jesus" for Joshua in Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8.

Used elsewhere in the period

Moses renames Hoshea son of Nun as Joshua in Numbers 13:16, just before the scouting mission. In later Jewish texts (Sirach 46:1) Joshua's name is read as fitting his role as deliverer of Israel in the conquest.