from יָשַׁע; deliverer; Hoshea, the name of five Israelites; Hosea, Hoshea, Oshea.
Transliteration:Hôwshêaʻ
Pronunciation:ho-shay'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hôwshêaʻ) is a proper noun derived directly from the verbal root יָשַׁע (yāshaʻ), which carries the core meaning "to save," "to deliver," "to help," or "to bring salvation." Consequently, הוֹשֵׁעַ itself signifies "deliverer" or "salvation." As a personal name, it embodies the concept of one who brings deliverance or one who is himself a manifestation of salvation. The name inherently points to the act of rescue, protection, or the state of being saved.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hôwshêaʻ) appears in the Old Testament referring to at least five distinct individuals, often in significant roles:
1. **Joshua, son of Nun:** Most notably, the great leader who succeeded Moses was originally named Hoshea. Moses himself changed his name to יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua), meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This pivotal name change is recorded in [[Numbers 13:16]], following his initial mention as Hoshea in [[Numbers 13:8]]. He is also referred to as Hoshea in [[Deuteronomy 32:44]]. This transformation is crucial for understanding the theological depth of the name.
2. **Hosea the prophet:** The author of the book of Hosea, whose prophetic ministry focused on Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and God's enduring love, bears this name ([[Hosea 1:1]]). His name, meaning "salvation," stands in poignant contrast to the nation's need for deliverance from judgment.
3. **Hoshea, King of Israel:** The last king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Hoshea son of Elah, reigned for nine years before the kingdom fell to Assyria ([[2 Kings 15:30]], [[2 Kings 17:1]]). Ironically, a king named "salvation" presided over the complete destruction and exile of his people, highlighting the failure of human leadership apart from divine faithfulness.
4. **Hoshea, son of Azaziah:** A chief of the tribe of Ephraim during the reign of David, mentioned in the list of tribal leaders ([[1 Chronicles 27:20]]).
5. **Hoshea, a leader who sealed the covenant:** One of the Levites or priests who affixed their seal to the renewed covenant in the time of Nehemiah ([[Nehemiah 10:23]]).
In its various contexts, the name consistently points to individuals, often in positions of leadership or prophetic ministry, who are either agents of deliverance or whose lives, by contrast, underscore the profound need for it.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical connection for הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hôwshêaʻ) is its root, יָשַׁע (yāshaʻ) `{{H3467}}`, meaning "to save, deliver, help." Other significant related terms derived from this root include:
* יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah) `{{H3444}}`: An abstract noun meaning "salvation, deliverance, help, prosperity."
* תְּשׁוּעָה (teshu'ah) `{{H8668}}`: Another abstract noun with similar meanings of "salvation, deliverance."
* יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) `{{H3091}}`: The expanded form of Hoshea, specifically meaning "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This is the name given to Joshua by Moses, and it is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), from which "Jesus" is derived.
The conceptual field surrounding הוֹשֵׁעַ includes salvation, deliverance, help, redemption, divine intervention, and the crucial role of leadership in bringing about or demonstrating these realities.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hôwshêaʻ) is profound and multifaceted. At its core, the name inherently points to the biblical theme of salvation, a central tenet of God's interaction with humanity.
The most significant theological layer emerges from the renaming of Hoshea to Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ). This divine act transforms the name from a general "deliverer" to "Yahweh is salvation." This shift is not merely linguistic; it is a theological declaration. It moves the focus from the human agent *of* deliverance to the divine source *of* deliverance. It unequivocally states that true and ultimate salvation does not originate from human strength or wisdom, but from Yahweh alone. Joshua, as the one who successfully led Israel into the Promised Land, thus becomes a powerful type or foreshadowing figure, pointing to a greater deliverer.
This connection is further amplified by the Septuagint's translation of יְהוֹשֻׁעַ as Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), which is the very name given to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. This linguistic and theological lineage establishes a profound continuity, presenting Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the "Yahweh saves" promise embodied in Joshua. Just as Joshua led Israel into their earthly inheritance, Jesus leads His people into eternal salvation and their heavenly inheritance.
The prophet Hosea's name, meaning "salvation," serves as a poignant irony, given the desperate need for salvation that characterized Israel during his ministry due to their unfaithfulness. His life and message underscore that while God's name is salvation, humanity's sin necessitates a divine intervention for that salvation to be realized. Similarly, the reign of King Hoshea, the last king of Israel, ending in the nation's downfall, tragically highlights that human leadership, even bearing a name signifying deliverance, cannot ultimately save without divine faithfulness and obedience.
### Summary
The Hebrew name הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hôwshêaʻ), derived from the root יָשַׁע (yāshaʻ), means "deliverer" or "salvation." While borne by several figures in the Old Testament, its most significant theological weight comes from its association with Joshua, son of Nun. His original name, Hoshea, was divinely expanded by Moses to יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua), meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This transformation underscores a fundamental biblical truth: ultimate salvation originates not from human effort but solely from the saving power of God. This connection is further amplified by the Septuagint's rendering of Yehoshua as Iesous, directly linking the Old Testament deliverer to Jesus Christ, the ultimate embodiment of divine salvation in the New Testament. Thus, the name הוֹשֵׁעַ serves as a constant reminder of God's saving character and the divine source of true deliverance.
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