יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (ye.ho.shu.a)
ye.ho.shu.a
Joshua
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 199 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yehoshua, rendered in English as Joshua or Jehoshua, carries the meaning "Jehovah is salvation." It combines the divine name Yahweh with the verb yasha, indicating that deliverance comes from God. This personal name appears frequently in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Exodus and Numbers, where it introduces the son of Nun who served as Moses’ assistant before leading Israel into Canaan.
Linguistically, the name reflects a theological conviction rather than a mere label. The sources note that this same root yields the later form Yeshua, which becomes the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek Jesus. This connection highlights how the concept of divine rescue is woven through biblical history, from the conquest under Joshua son of Nun to the priestly line after the exile and ultimately to the New Testament figure.
The name identifies several distinct individuals in Scripture, including a high priest during the restoration period and a governor under King Josiah. Despite these different bearers, the consistent meaning unites them under the theme of God’s saving action. The recurrence of this name underscores a central biblical hope: that salvation is fundamentally an act of the Lord.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Joshua carries a quiet but powerful promise: "Jehovah is salvation." It reminds us that deliverance is never something we achieve on our own, but a gift that comes from God. When we face battles that seem too large for our strength, this name points us back to the One who fights for us.
In Exodus 17, Joshua stood firm against Amalek while Moses held up his hands. The victory belonged to Israel not because of their military skill, but because God was present with them. This story shows that our faithfulness is joined to God’s faithfulness. We do not carry the weight of the world alone.
As you move through your own seasons of uncertainty, remember that salvation is rooted in who God is. He remains constant even when circumstances shift. Trust in His presence, and let that trust shape how you face each day with peace and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 199 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Joshua194×
- and/ Joshua17×
- to/ Joshua3×
- O Joshua2×
- <to>/ Joshua1×
- <in>/ Joshua1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ27×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ26×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙23×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ21×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ18×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ12×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ11×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ10×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ9×
- יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ7×
- וִ/יהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ6×
- יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ\׃5×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 17:9
Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out to fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with God’s rod in my hand.”
Joshua is introduced here as the military leader chosen to act on God’s command, showing his role in executing divine justice.
-
Numbers 27:18
Yahweh said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.
God explicitly identifies Joshua as a man in whom the Spirit resides, marking him for leadership after Moses.
-
Deuteronomy 31:7
Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it.
Moses charges Joshua with courage, linking his future success directly to God’s prior promise to the ancestors.
-
Deuteronomy 31:23
He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you.”
God commissions Joshua personally, assuring him of His presence as he prepares to lead Israel into the land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Joshua mean?
How is Joshua different from Jesus?
Why is Joshua important in the Old Testament?
Every Occurrence (199 verses across 11 books)
Exodus 7 verses
Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out to fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill…
Exodus 17:10So Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
Exodus 17:13Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Exodus 17:14Yahweh said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: that I will utterly…
Exodus 24:13Moses rose up with Joshua, his servant, and Moses went up onto God’s Mountain.
Exodus 32:17When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is the noise of war in the camp.”
Exodus 33:11Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant…