for יְהוֹשׁוּעַ; he will save; Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine; Jeshua.
Transliteration:Yêshûwaʻ
Pronunciation:yay-shoo'-ah
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ), Strong's H3442, is a shortened form of יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yehoshua), Strong's `{{H3091}}`. Both names derive from the Hebrew root יָשַׁע (yashaʿ), Strong's `{{H3467}}`, meaning "to save, deliver, or rescue." Therefore, the core meaning of יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ) is "he will save" or "Yahweh is salvation." This name inherently carries a theological declaration, emphasizing divine intervention and deliverance. Its semantic range is primarily tied to personal names, reflecting the hope or reality of God's saving action through individuals.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Jeshua (H3442) appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the post-exilic books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah. It is attributed to several individuals and one geographical location.
The most prominent figure bearing this name is Jeshua the son of Jozadak, the high priest who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. He is a central figure in the restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple.
* In [[Ezra 2:2]], Jeshua is listed among the leaders of the returnees.
* [[Ezra 3:2]] highlights his role alongside Zerubbabel in setting up the altar and resuming sacrifices.
* [[Ezra 5:2]] and [[Ezra 10:18]] further attest to his priestly lineage and involvement.
* In [[Nehemiah 7:7]], he is again listed among the leaders.
* [[Haggai 1:1]] and [[Haggai 1:12]] identify him as the high priest, receiving prophetic messages alongside Zerubbabel, urging the people to rebuild the Temple.
* [[Zechariah 3:1-9]] presents a significant vision of Jeshua the high priest, standing before the Angel of the LORD, representing the purification and vindication of the priesthood and the nation. This passage highlights his role as a figure of restoration and divine favor.
Other individuals named Jeshua include:
* A Levite, father of Ezer, involved in repairing the wall of Jerusalem ([[Nehemiah 3:19]]).
* Another Levite who helped in teaching the law and leading worship ([[Nehemiah 8:7]]; [[Nehemiah 9:4-5]]; [[Nehemiah 12:8]], [[Nehemiah 12:24]]).
* A leader of a priestly division ([[Nehemiah 12:10]]).
* A town in Judah ([[Nehemiah 11:26]]).
Across its occurrences, the name Jeshua is consistently associated with figures involved in leadership, restoration, and the re-establishment of religious and communal life after the exile, underscoring the "saving" aspect inherent in the name.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ) is its longer form, יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yehoshua), Strong's `{{H3091}}`, famously known as Joshua, Moses' successor. Both names share the same root, יָשַׁע (yashaʿ), Strong's `{{H3467}}`, which means "to save, deliver." From this root also derives the noun יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah), Strong's `{{H3444}}`, meaning "salvation, deliverance, help."
Crucially, the Greek transliteration of both יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ) and יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yehoshua) is Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), Strong's `{{G2424}}`, which is the name "Jesus" in English. This linguistic connection is profoundly significant, establishing a direct link between the Old Testament figures bearing this name and the central figure of the New Testament. Concepts closely related to Jeshua thus include salvation, deliverance, leadership, priesthood, restoration, and divine intervention.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ) is deeply rooted in its etymology: "Yahweh saves." Every individual bearing this name in the Old Testament, particularly Jeshua the high priest, serves as a testament to God's saving activity in history. Jeshua the high priest, leading the spiritual restoration of Israel after the exile, embodies a type of divine deliverance, showing God's faithfulness to His covenant people even in their brokenness. His purification in Zechariah's vision ([[Zechariah 3:1-9]]) symbolizes God's cleansing of His people and their priesthood, enabling them to serve Him once more.
However, the ultimate theological weight of יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ) is realized in its Greek equivalent, Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), the name given to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. As stated in [[Matthew 1:21]], "you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." This declaration perfectly aligns with the name's inherent meaning. Jesus embodies the complete and ultimate salvation that the Old Testament figures, including Jeshua, could only foreshadow. He is the one through whom Yahweh truly saves, not merely from physical exile or enemies, but from the spiritual bondage of sin and death. Thus, the name Jeshua serves as a profound Old Testament precursor to the person and work of the Messiah.
### Summary
The Hebrew word יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ), Strong's H3442, is a shortened form of Joshua, meaning "Yahweh saves" or "he will save." It is derived from the root "to save" (`{{H3467}}`) and is closely related to the concept of "salvation" (`{{H3444}}`). Prominently used as the name of the high priest who led the post-exilic restoration, Jeshua is consistently associated with figures of leadership and divine deliverance in the Old Testament. The profound theological significance of this name culminates in its Greek equivalent, Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), which is the name of Jesus Christ (`{{G2424}}`). The Old Testament figures named Jeshua, particularly the high priest, serve as powerful types and shadows, pointing forward to Jesus, who fully embodies the meaning of the name by providing ultimate salvation from sin, fulfilling the divine promise inherent in "Yahweh saves."
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