Yehoshua – The House of The Nazarene

Finding Yeshua (Jesus) in the Names of God

Variations of the Hebrew name Yeshua (Jesus). The top two are pronounced Yehoshua, and the bottom one is a contraction that is pronounced Yeshua. This spelling and pronunciation were typical in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period.

In Jewish culture, names are not chosen randomly or on a whim like my name William ויליאם.

A person’s name is believed to affect their entire spiritual identity and even their destiny.

Scripture seems to enforce this idea; for instance, the Messiah was named Yeshua (Jesus). That name means salvation, and Matthew 1:21 confirms that it reflects His destiny.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Yeshua, because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Since Yeshua is one with the Father (John 10:30, 14:7; Matthew 11:27), we can expect to find His character revealed in the names of the Father.

“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets.” (Malachi 1:11)

Variations of the Hebrew name Yeshua (Jesus). The top two are pronounced Yehoshua, and the bottom one is a contraction that is pronounced Yeshua. This spelling and pronunciation were typical in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Now some have said the bottom one is just Joshua however here is Joshua in Hebrew: יהושע

So you can see יהושע and ישוע is not the same in Hebrew!

Discovering the Character of Messiah in the Names of the Father

“So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel…” (Ezekiel 39:7)

Father God has, in His mercy, chosen to reveal His Divine character and nature to His people through His Holy name.

All of the names we will look at here are compound and begin with the Four Letters of God’s personal, holy name: YHWH.

“I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai (God Almighty), but by My name YHWH יְהֹוָה, I did not make myself known to them.” (Exodus 6:3)

This four-letter name of God is derived from the Hebrew verb hayah meaning to be. God seems to explain this to Moses when He said, “I Am who I Am [ehyeh aser ehyeh]’”

Most Christian Bibles write LORD in place of YHWH. And in the Jewish tradition, the Hebrew word Adonai is said when reading Scripture aloud.

Let’s now take a look at Father God and Messiah Yeshua in the names: YHWH El Elyon (Most High), YHWH Nissi (Banner), and YHWH Roi (My Shepherd).

The holy name of God, YHWH, was spoken by the High Priest on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). When the Jewish People read Scripture aloud, however, they substitute Adonai (Lord).

1) The LORD Most High God: YHWH El Elyon (יְהֹוָה אֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן)

“For You, O Lord [YHWH], are Most High [Elyon] over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” (Psalm 97:9, see Genesis 14:22)

The name Adonai El Elyon (The Lord Most High God) reveals the superiority and supremacy of God.

The Hebrew word Elyon, meaning Most High, Uppermost, Lofty, or the Supreme, is derived from the Hebrew root A-L-H, meaning to go up or ascend.

The implication is that God is high and above any and all created things. This includes the false gods that arise from the imaginations of humankind and all demonic powers.

In fact, when God poured out His fury upon Egypt in the form of the ten plagues, He proved Himself to be Elyon — higher than any false Egyptian deity (Exodus 12:12).

The Plague of Flies depicts the fourth plague and the supremacy of YHWH over the Egyptian god Khepri, who had the head of a fly, can you imagine having the head of a fly, tiny brain, and drinking poop and they made that a god?

The name El Elyon reveals that God is the absolute Highest Supremacy. He is the Extremely-Exalted, High God who is far superior to anyone or anything.

For this reason, we should both fear Him revere Him and trust Him.

“I cry out to God Most High [Elohim Elyon], to God [El], who fulfills [His purpose] for me.” (Psalm 57:2; see also Psalm 7:17)

“How awesome is the LORD Most High [YHWH Elyon], the great King over all the earth!” (Psalm 47:2)

The Brit Chadashah (New Covenant) connects this idea of supremacy with Yeshua (Jesus). God has made Him above all (Elyon) by placing all things under His feet.

“And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the community of Believers.” (Ephesians 1:22)

2) The Lord My Banner: YHWH Nissi (יְהוָה נִסִּי)

“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD [YHWH] is my Banner [Nissi].” (Exodus 17:15)

The Lord My Banner or Adonai Nissi (YHWH Nissi) is the name Moses called the altar that he built when he rejoiced over Israel’s victory over the Amalekites.

To understand this name, consider that today, military units and even marching bands often rally behind the one carrying the flag that identifies the group. That person is known as the standard-bearer.

So, too, Moses rallied behind the Lord, his Standard-Bearer, and He led the way to victory.

Yet, the banner is not an adequate term to describe our Lord.

The word Nissi could be derived from nes (miracle, banner, sign); nasa (lifted up), or nus (flee for refuge).

So, in addition to being our Leader, YHWH Nissi could also mean that God is our Miracle, our Exalted One, our Refuge.

The Prophet Isaiah refers to the Messiah as a banner (nes) in two of his End-Time Messianic Prophecies.

“In that day the Root of Jesse [Messiah] will stand as a banner [nes] for the peoples; the nations [Goyim] will rally to him, and His place of rest will be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10)

Also in Isaiah 49, he uses the word nissi in connection with the end-time restoration of Israel.

“See, I will beckon to the Gentiles [Goyim], I will lift up my banner [nissi] to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.” (Isaiah 49:22)

Messiah Yeshua has been sent to the nations, and because of their great love for Him, Gentiles are helping to restore the Jewish People to the land of Israel, just as Isaiah prophesied.

God’s “banner over us” symbolizes His presence, provision, redemptive power, and love.

We no longer need to be out there on our own, gaining victory through our own might and devices. He is our rallying point and our Banner, and we can confidently look to Him and to Messiah Yeshua for direction and help.

“He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His banner [dagal] over me is love [ahava].” (Song of Solomon 2:4)

He demonstrates to us His love as a Shepherd does for His sheep.

“‘I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,’ declares the Lord GOD.”
(Ezekiel 34:15)

3) The Lord My Shepherd: YHWH Ro’i (יְהוָה רֹעִי)

One of the best known and beloved of the psalms of David begins with these comforting words you might even have it memorized:

“The Lord is my Shepherd [YHWH Roi], I shall not be in want.” (Psalm 23:1)

This psalm is traditionally read at many Jewish and gentile funeral services because it refers to God walking with us as a good shepherd, through the valley of the shadow of death.

The realization that we have a faithful Shepherd to guide and protect us, and that we are not wandering lost and alone in this world, alleviates fear and loneliness, and establishes the safety, purpose, and direction that we can find in Him.

Yeshua (Jesus) also called Himself the Good Shepherd, saying that He would even give His life for His sheep.

“I am the Good Shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

David, the shepherd who became a shepherd king to the people of Israel remained a humble lamb in the face of YHWH Roi, Adonai my Shepherd.

While YHWH Roi is our Shepherd, He has appointed a Shepherd of His own to rule and reign over His creation on His behalf.

The Hebrew Prophet Ezekiel confirmed that the Messiah, a descendant of King David, would come and, like David, rule Israel as a Shepherd King.

“My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd.” (Ezekiel 37:24; see also Isaiah 40:11, Micah 5:4)

The Hebrew prophets also foretold, however, that the Shepherd would be struck down, and would give His life as an offering for sin as the Lamb of God (Isaiah 53:4–5).

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me! declares the LORD Almighty. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered….” (Zechariah 13:7; see Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:27, John 16:32)

The Book of Revelation ties these three aspects of the Messiah—the Lamb, the King, and the Shepherd—to Yeshua and His soon return as the Shepherd King of Israel.

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)

So now you also know the people that use the word Jehovah are not interpreting that word from the Hebrew Bible or the Tanakh it is always LORD or Adonai.

Although the Jewish People know God as El Elyon (The Most High God), many do not know that all things are under Yeshua’s feet.

And although they know that God is their Banner, they do not know that Yeshua is the prophesied Root of Jesse who will stand as a Banner to the peoples.

Israel also knows that the Lord is their Shepherd, but many do not yet realize that Yeshua is their Shepherd King who laid down His life for them and will soon return to completely fulfill every Messianic prophecy.

As for the world, so few know that the God of Israel is the one true God and that He loves them and is reaching out to meet their needs and save them.

We need your help in bringing the Good News of Yeshua to Israel and the nations through articles like this!

“Let them know that You, whose name is the LORD [YHWH]—that You alone are the Most High [Elyon] over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18)

“Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.” (Exodus 35:21)

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We Cover The Tribes, Journeys Or Matot, Masei Where Israelites Receive Their Inheritance This Week

The Lord goes on to command Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites in retaliation for their seducing the Israelites at Baal-peor. Yes, against his own wife’s people! Both Balak, the King of Moab, and Balaam, who had advised that Israel would be cursed if they were drawn into sin, are killed in this battle.

Welcome to this week’s Torah portion, Parasha Matot-Masei, or Tribes-Journeys, which will be read in synagogues around the world during the morning service this Shabbat (Saturday).

Two parshiot are combined this week to accommodate the schedule of Torah readings for the Jewish year 5780. Please study this double portion along with us. We know you will be blessed!

MATOT-MASEI (Tribes-Journeys)

Numbers 30:2–36:13; Jeremiah 2:4–28, 3:4, 4:1–2; Matthew 23:1–25:46

“Moses said to the heads of the tribes [matot] of Israel: ‘This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.'” (Numbers 30:1–2)

Last week, in Parasha Pinchas, God rewarded Aaron’s grandson, Pinchas (Phinehas), a pact of peace and everlasting priesthood in response to his zeal for the Lord.

In this week’s double Torah portion (parasha) of Matot-Masei, the Israelites are coming to an end of their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

Both Miriam and Aaron, the sister and brother of Moses, have died in the desert; and Moses, in preparing for the end of his life in the desert as well, has passed on the mantle of leadership to his successor — Yehoshua (Joshua).

This week’s reading begins with the laws regarding vows and oaths, emphasizing our responsibility to be a people who keep our word and do what we have promised.

The Lord goes on to command Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites in retaliation for their seducing the Israelites at Baal-Peor. Yes, against his own wife’s people! Both Balak, the King of Moab, and Balaam, who had advised that Israel would be cursed if they were drawn into sin, are killed in this battle.

What is the meaning of Baal-Peor?

A reference to a divinity who was worshipped at that mountain peak, and, biblically, was the subject of the heresy of Peor. The divinity, worshipped by the Moabites, is biblically referred to as Baal-Peor (Num. 25:3,5, 18, Deuteronomy 3:29), literally meaning the Baal of Peor (The Lord of the House of Horus)

After the battle, a massive quantity of booty is distributed to the soldiers, and a share, you know a tithe something you don’t do, is designated for the sanctuary.

Settlement on East Bank of the Jordan

As the tribes of Israel prepare to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh approach Moses requesting permission to settle on the east side of the Jordan in the territories captured from Sichon and Og (Numbers 32:1–5).

Moses is at first disturbed by this request, accusing them of wanting to shirk their responsibility in following through on taking the Promised Land in obedience to the Lord’s command.

He asks these tribes, “Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?” (Numbers 32:6)

He compares them to the ten spies who came back with a bad report, bringing calamity on Israel. His concern is that their actions will discourage the Israelites from taking the Land.

However, these tribes have no intention of avoiding battle; they just prefer the land on the east side of the Jordan, since it is suitable for their large herds and flocks of livestock.

As a side note: Although the Israelites first settled on the east side of the Jordan, in the 20th century, that land was allocated to the creation of an entirely new country called Transjordan (Jordan) by the League of Nations. To prove my point do you remember reading about King David fighting the Jordanians, or while I’m on the subject, the Palestinians? No, me either!

They are not only willing to go into battle, but they also pledge to go ahead of the Israelites as shock troops to take the Land.

“We will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place… We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.” (Numbers 32:17–18)

When Moses understands their motivation and the full plan, he agrees to their request and the Lord awards them their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan.

We can understand from this that Israel’s inheritance extends beyond the Jordan River.

This event also reminds each of us to patiently listen to a person’s reasoning when their request seems to be in conflict with a perceived goal. We should not prejudge motivation and outcomes.

Administering the Inheritance

As if to affirm the coming victory in the Promised Land, the Lord assigns a leader for each of the nine and a half tribes who will be in charge of administering the inheritance of the land of Canaan (west of the Jordan River) among the people.

In addition to this, God also instructs the people to drive out all the inhabitants of the Land once they receive it.

He warns them:

“If you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.” (Numbers 33:55)

However, when the Israelites crossed the Jordan, many times they made treaties or allowed the Canaanites to dwell among them, where they continued practicing their pagan rituals. In time, these groups either led the Israelites back into pagan practices or tried to attack them from within.

Today, some believe the Jewish People have no right to the land, but in this Parasha, we see the Creator of the Universe fulfill the promise He made to Jacob all those years earlier:

“The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” (Genesis 35:12)

An 1889 map illustrating the division of Israel by tribes — An 1889 map illustrating the division of the Land of Israel between the Twelve Tribes.

The Boundaries of Israel

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance — the land of Canaan to its boundaries.” (Numbers 34:1–2)

As the Creator of the Universe, God has the right to set the boundaries for the nations that He created. In this week’s Parasha, God sets the borders of the territory of Israel, which are far larger than what Israel has settled today.

Fully inhabiting our inheritance of Judea and Samaria and even East Jerusalem may seem impossible with the creation of a Palestinian state, but when the Messiah returns, there will be a redistribution of land to the Twelve Tribes, and the world will plainly see the extent of Israel’s borders (Ezekiel 47:15–21).

At that time, says the Lord, “when I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.” (Ezekiel 39:27)

Unlike many of the foreigners who reside in the Holy Land today, after the war of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38–39) those who remain will have reverence for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and no other; therefore, as fellow Believers, the Lord makes them inheritors as well.

You didn’t hear me! I said we as believers inherit that land as well, we are to rule and reign with Christ! Paul talked about wild branches and natural branches of a cultivated olive tree whereas Paul’s take on the practice seems unusual, however. It was unlikely that a farmer would graft a wild olive branch onto a cultivated olive tree. However, that is what God literally does for us that call on the name Jesus Christ of Nazareth to become our Lord and Saviour!

The Ingrafting of the Gentiles

“If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches. Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (Romans 11:16-18)

“You are to allot [the land] as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.” (Ezekiel 47:22)

Jeremiah Warns Israel of the Coming Exile

The prophetic reading (Haftarah) for this week is the second of the three “Haftarot of Admonition,” which are read during the Three Weeks.

During this three-week period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar (July 8 and July 30 on this year’s civil calendar), we remember that the walls of Jerusalem were breached and the Temple was destroyed.

The Prophet Jeremiah had been warning about the impending destruction of the Holy Temple and of Jerusalem for at least a few decades leading up to the Babylonian invasion.

In this reading, he details the terrible sins of the kings and the people that led to that destruction.

“As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face.

“But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble.” (Jeremiah 2:26–28)

To understand the extent of their wickedness, we need only look at King Manasseh (c. 687–642) who “sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing His anger.” (2 Kings 21:6)

The Book of the Law had been hidden away in the Temple so that even the kings had little to no knowledge of what was written in it. Instead of worshiping the God of Israel as written in Scripture, images of Baal were erected in the Temple where God said His name would be placed forever. (2 Chronicles 33:2–9)

The Lord warned Manasseh and the nation about their evil deeds, but they ignored Him. So the Lord took action against them:

“He rose up the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.” (2 Chronicles 33:10–11)

While in Babylonian captivity, Manasseh repented and with great humility called out to God, who restored him to his reign.

Manasseh and later his grandson King Josiah tried to return the nation to the worship of the God of Israel alone, but it seems their efforts came a little too late. They were not able to provoke a national revival in the hearts of the people.

When these kings died, other kings took their place and continued to defile the Temple and disobey God’s law.

Today, our cities and nations are full of the same sins that brought about the destruction of Jerusalem on Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) and of the world in the days of Noah — a time when men were given over to other men in marriage.

Yeshua (Jesus) told us that His coming would be in a time such as this:

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:26–27)

God Restores His People

Just as in the ancient days of Israel, God’s desire is to bring correction in order that people will repent and turn back to Him and live in righteousness; for it is not God’s will that even one person should perish.

We see this with Manasseh. God allowed him to be taken captive, but even he received God’s mercy and restoration after sincerely repenting:

“In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by His entreaty and listened to his plea. So He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.” (2 Chronicles 33:12–13)

Although a nation as a whole may still suffer the consequences of the collective sins of the people, God does show mercy and restores each individual person who sincerely humbles himself, calls on His name, and repents (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Therefore, let us make ourselves ready by genuinely turning from our sins and re-establishing His ways in our lives.

Further, God will grant everlasting life to those who believe that Yeshua cleansed them from their sins with His blood once and for all.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Those who believe are now free to live not as slaves to the sins of the ruler of the world, but as citizens of His Kingdom.

So ready yourself and keep an upward gaze — looking for the soon coming of the Son of Man — Yeshua, our Messiah, and Redeemer.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Revelation 22:12)

In these Last Days, God is moving among His people to physically and spiritually restore them. You can be part of this end-time move of God by contributing to our work among the People.

“Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd.” (Jeremiah 31:10)

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

House of the Nazarene Projects: Support, Education, Food, Bibles, Prayer, Healing, and Church Building. So, Please, contribute to this fundraising effort!

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our GoFundMe page

“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.” (Psalm 54:6)

You may make a donation securely through PayPal here: paypal.me/houseofthenazarene

So now we at House of the Nazarene are looking into land and church building donation requests for a physical church! What great news, right?

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our GoFundMe page

YESHUA – How Jesus’ name is correctly spelled and what it means

We come knowing that because of His resurrection He not only holds the power to forgive our sins, but has absolute victory over death, and has defeated the enemy once and for all!
We come in faith knowing that there is no other name, no other person, who is above Him, so, it matters not if we use the name of Jesus or Yeshua. I hope this helps.

Yeshua, Yehoshua, Yahshua, Yah, Yeshu, Joshua, Jesus, Iesous, Iησοῦς, or יֵשׁוּעַ, along with others? Recently, some of our readers have asked us why we use the name Yeshua in the place of Jesus.

Other readers challenge us to use Yahshua instead of Yeshua, believing that Yah more accurately reflects the divine nature of Yeshua and is the correct way to pronounce the name of the Jewish Messiah.

Still, others think the real name of Yeshua is the derogatory Yeshu, which means May His Name Be Blotted Out.

Which is correct?

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9)

Joshua and Jesus in Greek

Since the name “Jesus” occurs in our English Bibles over 900 times, some people are quite confident that the Jewish Messiah had the name, Jesus.

Actually, the name Jesus is an English equivalent (transliteration) of the Greek name—Iησοῦς (Iesous), pronounced as “eeaysoos,” which is a transliteration of the Hebrew name יֵשׁוּעַ, pronounced Yeshua.

So, the argument that we must only use the name “Jesus” because that is the name used in the Brit Chadashah is not quite accurate.

Some Believers object entirely to saying “Jesus” because they believe the Greek name “Iesous” sounds too much like the Greek god Zeus and is, therefore, pagan in origin. They say that those who speak the English name of Jesus or the Greek Iesous are calling on a pagan god.

The reality is that the pronunciation of Yeshua has no exact equivalent in Greek.

The Greek alphabet has no “y” or “sh” sound, so in Greek writing, the “Ye” in Yeshua became an “eeay” sound, and the “sh” became an “s” sound.

Also, Greek did not allow a male name to end in an “ah” sound, so the solution was to add an “s” to the end as many Greek male names have today. Thus, Yeshua in Hebrew became Iesous in Greek.

This Greek spelling is the standard substitute for both Yehoshua and Yeshua in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), as well as in the writings of first-century Romano-Jewish scholar Josephus and the Hellenistic Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria.

Joshua and Yeshua in Hebrew

The proper Hebrew name for Jesus is Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), which means salvation. This is a shortened form of the Hebrew name Yehoshua (יהושוע), which is Joshua in English and means the Lord saves, the Lord is salvation or the Lord will save.

Around the time of Yeshua, this shortened form of Yehoshua was common and popular around Jerusalem. It can be seen on many ossuaries (chests serving as the final resting place of human skeletal remains) from that time period.

In the Tanakh (Jewish or Hebrew Bible), the names Yeshua and Yehoshua are mentioned almost 30 times and are given to five different men.

They have frequently translated Joshua; for example, in Ezra 3:2, there is a reference to Joshua / Yeshua (יֵשׁ֨וּעַ) son of (בֶּן־) Yozadak (יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק), one of the priests in the time of Zerubbabel after the return from the exile in Babylon.

Many English translations of Ezra 3:2 use the name Jeshua (Yeshua) instead of Joshua.

In Zechariah 3 and 6, this same man is called Yehoshua (Joshua).

The first instance of Yehoshua is in Exodus: Yehoshua (יְהֹושֻׁ֣עַ) Ben (בִּן) Nun (ןנ֑וּ), most often translated as Joshua son of Nun, who was Moses’ assistant. He is the same Joshua who led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

In Numbers 13:8, however, Joshua is called Hoshea (הוֹשֵׁעַ) ben Nun, one of the spies sent out by Moses to scout out the land of Canaan.

The name Hoshea means he saves. It can reflect the hope of deliverance. But that was not definitive enough to reflect God’s promise of salvation or Joshua’s mission in life. Moses changed his name to Yehoshua by taking Hoshea and adding the letter yud, which comes from the yud in YHWH, the Divine name.

By making this alteration to Hoshea’s name, Moses changed his name to Joshua, which means YHWH is salvation or YHWH saves, delivers.

“These are the names of the men Moses sent to explore the land. (Moses gave Hoshea son of Nun the name Yehoshua.)” (Numbers 13:16)

A perfect example of the interchangeability of Yehoshua and Yeshua in later books of the Tanakh and among the Jews of the Second Temple period is found in Nehemiah 8:17, where Joshua son of Nun, usually called Yehoshua Ben Nun, is called Yeshua Ben Nun.

“From the days of Joshua [יֵשׁוּעַ–Yeshua] son of Nun until that day….”

Why Jewish People Call Him Yeshu

The Talmud (Rabbinic teachings) mentions the name Yeshua only once in reference to Yeshua ben Jozadek (whom we mentioned above).

All other instances of the name Joshua are Yehoshua, although the name for one man — Yeshua of Nazareth — is rendered Yeshu (ישו).

It has been said that this name is actually an acronym for the Hebrew phrase “Y’mach Sh’mo V’Zichrono (May his name and the memory of him be blotted out); however, some have suggested that it is a Galilean form of Yeshua.

Most Jews are unaware of the potentially derogatory origin and, for this reason, they commonly refer to Yeshua as Yeshu, as if that were His true name.

For the most part, even the Israeli media use Yeshu to refer to Yeshua, although in rare cases He will be called by His proper name.

His full name in secular Hebrew is Yeshu Ha-Notzri (Jesus the Nazarene).

This is the name that appears in the Ben Yehuda Hebrew Dictionary and in most secular Hebrew texts; however, the Hebrew spelling Yeshua (ישוע) is used in translations of the Brit Chadashah into Hebrew.

Is His Correct Name Yahshua?

Some of our readers have asked House of the Nazarene to use the name Yahshua instead of Yeshua. Many of them believe that because “Yah” is the first part of God’s personal name “Yahweh,” it is supposed to be the first part of His Son’s name as well.

However, this pronunciation of God’s name can be called into question. Because there are no vowels in Hebrew, no one can be 100% sure that His name is pronounced “Yahweh.”

We do know for sure, though, that the use of “Yah” in the Messiah’s Hebrew name cannot be supported by any evidence available from archaeological findings, such as the Dead Sea scrolls, in inscriptions, or in any rabbinical texts.

In these Hebrew texts, the personal and unutterable name for God is the Tetragrammaton or Four Letters: Yud-Hei-Vav-Hei (יהוה or YHVH, in English).

This name, which some say is pronounced as Jehovah, is so holy that it was not spoken outside the Temple, and then only once a year on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) by the Kohen HaGadol (High Priest).

A name of God that is related to יהוה (YHVH) is the name יה (Yah), perhaps a shortened form of the ineffable name. This name of God appears about 50 times in the Tanakh. It is part of the construction of the Hebrew word Halleluyah (Praise Yah), as well as many Hebrew names, including Elijah (Eliyahu), Isaiah (Yeshayah), and Jeremiah (Yirmyahu or Yirmyah).

The name “Yahshua,” however, exists nowhere in the Bible or the Hebrew historic record.

In this new pronunciation for Yeshua, a fifth letter is added right in the middle of God’s holy name (ש/shin), thereby creating the new name Yahshua — יהשוה.

The five-letter spelling of Yahshuah (יהשוה‎) rather than the four-letter spelling of Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) can be first traced to Christian Renaissance occultists in the second half of the 16th century.

A similar form of this new spelling was later picked up by the Sacred Name Movement (SNM), which uses its own unique Hebrew spelling of Yahshua (יהשע). This spelling is not found anywhere in the Hebrew Scriptures.

This new spelling of Yeshua can be traced back to the early days of the SNM movement in the 1930s.

Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua, an organization associated with the Sacred Name Movement, makes the following doctrinal statement regarding this name:

“‘Yahshua’ is the correct name of the Savior, a contraction of the combination of ‘YAHweh’ and ‘HoSHUA,’ the same as given to Joshua the son of Nun by Moses.” (YAIY Beacon, April-June 2013, p. 8)

To create this new combination, one has to change the pronunciation of Hoshea to Hoshua, which is not found in any lexicon or dictionary because the “oo” letter is not included in the Hebrew spelling of Hoshea. To arrive at this version of Yeshua’s name, one has to begin with a made-up Hebrew name.

Calling on His Name

As Scriptural support, those who insist on this pronunciation of Yahshua point to Yeshua who says, “I have come in My Father’s Name.” (John 5:43)

From this verse, they conclude that His name must have Yah in it. But as discussed, this variant of Yeshua does not occur in any Hebrew or Aramaic texts.

There is no historical support for Yeshua ever using the name of Yah.

Even while on the execution stake, Yeshua did not call His Father by His personal name — YHVH, but instead El:

“About three in the afternoon Yeshua cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?’).” (Matthew 27:46)

Referring to Scripture, those who follow the teachings of the SNM contend that using this pronunciation of Yeshua’s name will assist in one’s salvation: “Everyone who calls on the name [onoma] of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

They also refer to this passage:

“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him [Yeshua], and bestowed on Him the name [onoma] which is above every name, so that at the name [onoma] of Yeshua EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Yeshua HaMashiach is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11; see also Isaiah 45:23)

The Greek word onoma does mean the name, but not only in a literal sense; it also refers to the very being of a person.

Throughout the Jewish culture in Scripture, one’s name is synonymous with one’s character, nature, and essence.

The name of Yeshua means salvation, and that is the exact essence of who Yeshua is. To call on the name/person of Yeshua — the Messiah is to call on salvation.

Furthermore, it simply does not make sense that everyone who has sincerely loved and followed the Jewish Messiah throughout the ages did not and will not receive their salvation because they did not speak this new form of Yeshua’s name, as “revealed” to a select few in the early Sacred Name Movement.

Scripture clearly states that our salvation comes through grace. We do not receive it because of our works, and it is certainly not connected to how we pronounce the Messiah’s name.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Our salvation is connected to believing in the character, reputation, and essence of the person behind the Hebrew name — who He is and what He did.

Yeshua Himself said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25)

Writing the Sacred Names in Early Manuscripts

If saying Yeshua’s name correctly was essential to our salvation or even our faith, the early scribes would have kept the Hebrew names intact when making copies of the Gospels and Paul’s letters of instruction to the early Believers. But this is not the case.

The oldest manuscripts for the Gospel of John (known as P52 and P66), for example, were written only 50 years after the original authoring. In these copies, Hebrew pronunciations are not attempted. Instead, Greek abbreviations of Greek equivalent words are used:

Yeshua is abbreviated as Ιη-, (transliterated into English as Je- or Ye- for the name Jesus);

Messiah is abbreviated as Χρ- (spoken as Chr- for the Greek name Christos or English name Christ);

Elohim is written simply as Θ, which is short for Theos or God

Abba is shown as Πρ-, which is short for Pater or Father; and

Adonai is reduced to Κ-, which is short for Kyrios or Lord.

Rather than trying to accurately portray the sacred names of God and the Messiah, the early scribes intentionally avoided it. This is in keeping with the Jewish practice of using euphemisms, letters, or syllables to protect all names of God from being defaced, obliterated, or destroyed accidentally.

Two thousand years later, though, the spiritual sensitivity behind protecting God’s names is being labeled a conspiracy.

Dr. Daniel Botkin, pastor of the Gates of Eden Messianic Congregation writing on the yeshanet website states:

“The opponents of the Yeshua form claim that this pronunciation is the result of a Jewish conspiracy to hide the Savior’s true name. Those who call the Messiah Yeshua are accused of perpetuating a Jewish conspiracy and ‘denying His name’ or ‘degrading Him’ by their use of the Yeshua form.”

Botkin said that he has received letters with these charges against himself personally.

To support the use of the name Yeshua, he goes on to quote Dr. Danny Ben-Gigi, an Israeli and former head of Hebrew studies at Arizona University as saying, “There is no such name in Hebrew (as Yahshua),” a name that “people invented it to fit their theology.”

Perhaps it seems like a lovely notion to think that Yeshua and Yahweh share the same pronunciation — Yah.

It is more important, however, to understand the spiritual elitism behind believing that this revelation was given to a select few in the 16th century and then the 20th century.

Moreover, it is dangerous heresy to believe that only this unique pronunciation must be used to receive salvation, as many in the Sacred Name Movement claim.

Both Hebrew and Bible scholars who study ancient Semitic languages, historical literature, and archaeological findings regarding this issue agree that the name Yahshua cannot be supported and, therefore, House of the Nazarene does not endorse it.

It is more important, however, to understand the spiritual elitism behind believing that this revelation was given to a select few in the 16th century and then the 20th century.

We also believe in praying in Yeshua’s name. What does that mean? It means when we pray, our prayers should reflect His agenda, values, and purposes, not our own selfish ambitions and vain conceits.

Praying in Yeshua’s name means we come before Him expressing Yeshua’s desires and stand in Yeshua’s authority.

It means we have the confidence to stand before our Heavenly Father because of what Yeshua has accomplished through His holy life, His death on the Roman execution stake, His burial, and resurrection.

Because of His sinless life, He had absolute victory over death and was raised on the third day.

We come knowing that because of His resurrection He not only holds the power to forgive our sins, but has absolute victory over death, and has defeated the enemy once and for all!

We come in faith knowing that there is no other name, no other person, who is above Him, so, it matters not if we use the name of Jesus or Yeshua. I hope this helps.

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:9–10)

Please stand with House of the Nazarene as we bring the Good News of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) to the People around the world.

Time is short; current events give us every indication that Jesus (Yeshua) is coming soon!

In Jewish culture, names are not chosen randomly or on a whim like my name William ויליאם.

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!