1. Joshua 1:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does "Joshua" mean?

Joshua 1:1 (ESV)

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,

Joshua’s original name was Hoshea, which means deliverance/salvation (Numbers 13:8, Deuteronomy 32:44). It was later changed by Moses to Joshua (Numbers 13:16), which means: The Lord is salvation. Joshua’s name is thus a constant reminder to him and the people of Israel that God is the one who will deliver them, a fact repeatedly mentioned throughout the book.1