Lexical Summary
Yehoshua: Joshua
Original Word:יְהוֹשׁוּעַ
Part of Speech:proper name, masculine; proper name, of a location; proper name
Transliteration:Yhowshuwa`
Pronunciation:yeh-ho-SHOO-ah
Phonetic Spelling:(yeh-ho-shoo'-ah)
KJV: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua
NASB:Joshua, Jeshua
Word Origin:[fromH3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) andH3467 (יָשַׁע - save)]
1. Jehovah-saved
2. Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua
Or Yhowshua {yeh-ho-shoo'-ah}; fromYhovah andyasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader -- Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. CompareHowshea',Yeshuwa'.
see HEBREWYhovah
see HEBREWyasha'
see HEBREWHowshea'
see HEBREWYeshuwa'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
Yhvh and
yashaDefinition"the LORD is salvation," Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Isr.
NASB TranslationJeshua (28), Joshua (219).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, and (later) ,
(& location, see
below) (is salvation, oris opulence, compare , , & NesSK 1892, 573 f.; in any case it came to be associated with , compare Matthew 1:21; on see especially FräVOJ iv. 1890, 332 f. MüllSK 1892, 177 f. who cite analogue for change of to later , & Nesl.c.) —
Moses' successor, son of Nun, ( )Deuteronomy 3:21;Judges 2:7; =Exodus 17:9,10,13,14;Exodus 24:13;Exodus 32:17;Exodus 33:11;Numbers 11:28;Numbers 13:16;Numbers 14:6,30,38;Numbers 26:65;Numbers 27:18,22;Numbers 32:12,28;Numbers 34:17;Deuteronomy 1:38;Deuteronomy 3:28;Deuteronomy 31:3,7,14 (twice in verse);Deuteronomy 31:23;Deuteronomy 34:9;Joshua 1:1 167t. Joshua;Judges 1:1;Judges 2:6,7,8,21,23;1 Kings 16:34;1 Chronicles 7:27; =Nehemiah 8:17 ( ); according to P, name changed by Moses from q. v.Numbers 13:8,16 ( )Deuteronomy 32:44 ( ).
a Bethshemite1 Samuel 6:14,18 ('Wshe, A ,L ).
high priest after the restoration, son of Jehozadak ( )Haggai 1:1,12,14;Haggai 2:2,4;Zechariah 3:1,3,6,8,9;Zechariah 6:11; = ( )Ezra 2:2;Ezra 3:2,8;Ezra 4:3;Ezra 5:2;Ezra 10:18;Nehemiah 7:7;Nehemiah 12:1,7,10,26.
governor of Jerusalem under Josiah2 Kings 23:8 ( ,L ).
( ). head of one of the classes of priests1 Chronicles 24:11, possibly alsoEzra 2:36 =Nehemiah 7:39.
( etc.), a Levitical family-name of frequent occurrence:
Ezra 2:40;Ezra 3:9 =Nehemiah 7:43;Nehemiah 8:7;Nehemiah 9:4,5;Nehemiah 10:10;Nehemiah 12:8.
2Chronicles 31:15;Ezra 8:33;Nehemiah 12:24.
(id.), father of a builder at the wallNehemiah 3:19, perhaps =
a Judaite family-name (id.),Ezra 2:6 =Nehemiah 7:11 (compare SmListen 12).
Nehemiah 11:26 ( ,L ).
, .
Topical Lexicon
Name and Scope of Usageיְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yehoshua, Joshua) appears about 218 times in the Hebrew Bible. Although the majority of references concern Joshua son of Nun, the name is also borne by at least four other individuals:
• Joshua of Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:14)
• Joshua the governor of Beth-el (2 Kings 23:8)
• Joshua son of Jehozadak, post-exilic high priest (Ezra 2:2;Haggai 1:1)
• Joshua, a Levite gatekeeper in the days of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:15)
The Septuagint renders the name Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous), the same Greek form later given to Jesus of Nazareth, thus inviting rich canonical connections.
Joshua Son of Nun: Early Life and Commissioning
Born in Egyptian bondage, Joshua sprang from the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:27). First introduced as Moses’ assistant in the battle with Amalek (Exodus 17:9-14), he accompanied Moses partway up Sinai (Exodus 24:13) and guarded the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 33:11). His faith distinguished him among the twelve spies; while the majority disheartened Israel, “Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh… tore their clothes” and urged obedience (Numbers 14:6-9). Because of this loyalty, the LORD promised that Joshua would enter the land (Numbers 14:30). Moses later laid hands on him “and commissioned him, just as the LORD had spoken” (Numbers 27:23).
Leadership After Moses
Joshua’s succession is recorded inDeuteronomy 31–34 andJoshua 1. God’s charge—“Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6)—echoes throughout his career. Scripture presents him as:
1. A Spirit-filled leader (Deuteronomy 34:9)
2. A covenant mediator who wrote “these words in the Book of the Law of God” (Joshua 24:26)
3. A model of obedience who “left nothing undone that the LORD had commanded Moses” (Joshua 11:15)
Crossing the Jordan and Memorial Stones
The miraculous crossing (Joshua 3–4) duplicated the Exodus pattern and affirmed Joshua’s divine appointment: “That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel” (Joshua 4:14). Twelve memorial stones at Gilgal perpetuated the testimony “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty” (Joshua 4:24).
Conquest of Canaan
Chapters 6–12 narrate systematic campaigns:
• Central campaign—Jericho’s walls fell after seven days of divinely directed silence and trumpet blasts (Joshua 6).
• Southern campaign—The sun stood still over Gibeon as “the LORD fought for Israel” (Joshua 10:14).
• Northern campaign—Hazor, the head of the northern kingdoms, was burned (Joshua 11:10-11).
The historian credits Israel’s victories to divine initiative: “It was the LORD who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel… in order to destroy them completely” (Joshua 11:20).
Allotment and Rest
Joshua 13–21 record land allotments to the tribes and the establishment of Levitical cities and Cities of Refuge. Repeated summary statements emphasize covenant fulfillment: “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled” (Joshua 21:45).
Covenant Renewal at Shechem
Joshua’s closing acts (Joshua 23–24) include:
• An exhortation to cling to the LORD and avoid intermarriage with the nations (23:6-13).
• A historical recital from Abraham to the conquest (24:2-13).
• A public choice: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (24:15).
A covenant stone under the terebinth served as a perpetual witness (24:26-27).
Death and Legacy
Joshua died at 110 years (Joshua 24:29–30).Judges 2:7 testifies that Israel served the LORD “all the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him.” Later generations looked back to Joshua as the ideal leader (Nehemiah 9:23), and prophetic literature uses his exploits as assurance of future salvation (Habakkuk 3:8-13).
Joshua Son of Jehozadak: High-Priestly Ministry
A century after the exile, another Joshua figures prominently. Together with Zerubbabel, he leads the first return, rebuilds the altar, and lays the temple foundation (Ezra 3:2; 5:2). Haggai and Zechariah address him directly, urging purity and perseverance:
•Haggai 1:14—“The LORD stirred the spirit of Joshua… and they came and began to work on the house of the LORD.”
•Zechariah 3—Joshua stands before the Angel of the LORD clothed in filthy garments; cleansed and robed, he becomes a symbol of the coming “Branch” (Zechariah 3:8).
Thus this Joshua underscores God’s power to forgive and to reestablish worship.
Typological Significance
1. Name Parallels: Both Joshua son of Nun and Jesus of Nazareth bear the name “Yahweh saves,” underscoring the unity of God’s redemptive purpose.
2. Covenant Mediator and Conqueror: Joshua leads Israel into earthly rest;Hebrews 4:8 notes that a greater Joshua grants ultimate rest.
3. High-Priestly Cleansing: Joshua son of Jehozadak’s purification anticipates the atoning work of Christ, our High Priest (Hebrews 7–10).
Other Bearers of the Name
• Joshua of Beth-shemesh hosts the returned ark (1 Samuel 6:14-18).
• Joshua the governor of Beth-el is cited for cultic reforms under Josiah (2 Kings 23:8).
• Additional Levites or post-exilic leaders named Joshua appear in1 Chronicles 24:11;Nehemiah 3:19; 8:7; 12:10.
Theological Themes Associated with the Name
1. Salvation and Victory accomplished by the LORD.
2. Faithful obedience as the conduit of divine blessing.
3. Covenant continuity, from Sinai through the Conquest to the Restoration and ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Key Representative References
Exodus 17:9;Numbers 14:6-10;Deuteronomy 34:9;Joshua 1:7-9;Joshua 24:15;Judges 2:7;1 Samuel 6:14;2 Kings 23:8;2 Chronicles 31:15;Ezra 3:2;Haggai 1:14;Zechariah 3:8;Hebrews 4:8.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ ביהושע וִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֕עַ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ וִיהוֹשֻׁ֪עַ ויהושע יְ֠הוֹשֻׁעַ יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ׃ יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֡עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ ׀ יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ־ יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֧עַ יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֒ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֙ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮ יְהוֹשׁ֔וּעַ יְהוֹשׁ֣וּעַ יהושוע יהושע יהושע־ יהושע׃ לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ לִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ לִיהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ ליהושע bî·hō·wō·šu·a‘ bihoShua bîhōwōšua‘ lî·hō·wō·šu·a‘ lihoShua lîhōwōšua‘ vihoShua wî·hō·wō·šu·a‘ wîhōwōšua‘ yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ yə·hō·wō·šū·a‘ yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘- yehoShua yəhōwōšua‘ yəhōwōšūa‘ yəhōwōšua‘-
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