Lexical Summary Yeshua: Yeshua, Joshua, Jeshua Original Word: יֵשׁוּעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jeshua (Aramaic) corresponding to Yeshuwa' -- Jeshua. see HEBREW Yeshuwa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Yeshua and Yehoshua Definition a high priest after the Bab. captivity NASB Translation Jeshua (1). Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Yēshûaʿ (יֵשׁוּעַ) is a post-exilic shortening of Yehōshûaʿ (“Yahweh is salvation”). Although Strong’s number 3443 marks only one appearance—in Ezra 5:2—the same man is referred to elsewhere with the longer spelling. Scripture, therefore, presents a single historical figure whose name proclaims the saving purpose of the covenant God. Historical Context Jeshua son of Jozadak (also rendered Joshua) belonged to the first generation of Jews who returned from Babylon under the decree of King Cyrus (Ezra 2:1–2). As high priest he stood alongside Zerubbabel, the Davidic governor, at a watershed moment in redemptive history: the rebuilding of the temple after the seventy-year exile foretold by Jeremiah. Role in Post-Exilic Restoration 1. Spiritual Leadership. Jeshua immediately led the nation in re-establishing the altar (Ezra 3:2–3) so that daily sacrifices and the Feast of Tabernacles could resume even before the temple foundations were laid, demonstrating that true worship depends first on covenant obedience rather than architecture. Typological Significance Jeshua’s priestly office, combined with his name meaning “salvation,” provides an intentional foreshadowing of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:21). The cleansing of Jeshua’s filthy garments in Zechariah 3 prefigures the imputed righteousness Christ secures for His people (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26–27). Furthermore, the joint leadership of Jeshua and Zerubbabel anticipates the Messianic union of king and priest fulfilled in Jesus (Psalm 110; Hebrews 5–7). Relevance to the New Testament The Greek form of the same name, Iēsous, is applied both to the Old Testament Joshua and to Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 7:45; Hebrews 4:8). This linguistic bridge underscores the continuity of God’s redemptive plan: the servant who led Israel into Canaan and the High Priest who restored temple worship both point ultimately to the Savior who brings His people into eternal rest and builds a living temple of believers (Ephesians 2:20–22; 1 Peter 2:5). Lessons for the Church • God raises faithful leaders for times of restoration; spiritual renewal must accompany structural rebuilding. Key Scriptures Ezra 3:2–3; 5:2; Haggai 1:1–2, 12; 2:4; Zechariah 3:1–10; 6:11–13; Hebrews 4:8; 7:26–28. Forms and Transliterations וְיֵשׁ֣וּעַ וישוע veyeShua wə·yê·šū·a‘ wəyêšūa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 5:2 HEB: בַּר־ שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙ וְיֵשׁ֣וּעַ בַּר־ יֽוֹצָדָ֔ק NAS: of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son KJV: of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son INT: the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak 1 Occurrence |