Who is Joshua in the Old Testament

Joshua, whose name means "Jehovah is his help" or "Jehovah the Savior," was the son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim, and succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel ^{[1, 2]}. His original name was Hoshea, meaning "Salvation," but Moses changed it to Joshua ^[6]. The name Joshua is linguistically related to "Jesus" in Greek (Iēsous) and "Yehoshua" in Hebrew, a connection noted in the New Testament (Acts 7:45, Heb. 4:8) ^{[1, 12]}.

Joshua was born in Egypt and was likely a contemporary of Caleb ^[1]. He participated in the Exodus events, first appearing in the biblical narrative as the commander of the Israelite forces against the Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16) ^{[1, 2]}. He served as Moses' minister or servant, accompanying him and remaining near the Tent of Meeting where God spoke with Moses (Exodus 33:11) ^{[1, 14, 15]}. This close relationship with Moses is highlighted in the Babylonian Talmud, which notes Joshua's devotion to the words of the Torah ^[14].

Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent to explore the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:17) ^[2]. Along with Caleb, he was among the few who brought back a positive report, expressing faith in God's ability to deliver the land to Israel, in contrast to the ten other spies who instilled fear in the people ^[2]. As a result, Joshua and Caleb were the only adults from that generation, besides Moses, who were permitted to enter the Promised Land ^[1].

After Moses' death, Joshua was appointed by God to lead the Israelites into Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:38) ^{[8, 13]}. The Book of Joshua, named after him, details his leadership during the conquest and partition of Canaan ^[9]. This period is generally dated to the time of Egypt, the Wilderness, and the Conquest ^[5]. While Jewish writers and Christian fathers often attribute the authorship of the Book of Joshua to Joshua himself, there is no definitive historical proof for this claim ^[9].

Beyond Joshua son of Nun, the name Joshua (or Jeshua) appears for several other individuals in the Old Testament, including a high priest after the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 2:2, Zechariah) ^{[3, 4, 7]}, a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant stopped ^{[7, 10]}, and a governor of Jerusalem during King Josiah's reign ^{[7, 11]}. The Babylonian Talmud also discusses variations in the spelling of Joshua's name, noting that "Yeshua" might indicate a criticism of Joshua for not praying for the removal of certain inclinations ^{[16, 17]}.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Joshua — Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A.V.), and Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8 (R.V., Joshua). He was born in Egypt, and was probably of the age of Caleb, with whom he is generally associated. He shared in all the events of the Exodus, and held the place of commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against the Amalekites in Rephidim (Ex. 17:8-16). He became Moses' minister or servant, and accompanied him p”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joshua — (saviour, or whose help is Jehovah). His name appears in the various forms of [760]HosheaH[761]Oshea, [762]Oshea, [763]Jehoshua, [764]Jeshua and [765]Jesus. + The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. (1 Chronicles 7:27) (B.C. 1530-1420.) He was nearly forty years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. He is mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim, when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites. (Exodus 17:9) Soon afterward he was one of the twelve chiefs who were sent, (Numbers 13:17) to explore the land o”
STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3091J — High Priest living at the time of Exile and Return (refs: #A high priest from the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr)”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jeshua — (whom Jehovah helps), one of the towns reinhabited by the people of Judah after the return from captivity. (Nehemiah 11:26) It is not mentioned elsewhere. (a saviour), another form of the name of Joshua of Jesus. + Joshua the son of Nun. (Nehemiah 8:17) [[706]Joshua] + A priest in the reign of David, to whom the nine course fell by David, to whom the ninth course fell by lot. (1 Chronicles 24:11) (B.C. 1014.) + One of the Levites in the reign of Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles 31:15) (B.C. 726.) + Son of Jehozadak, first high priest after the Babylonish captivity, B.”
STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3091G — Judge living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness and Conquest (refs: #A Judge from the tribe of Ephraim living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness and Conquest, first me)”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hoshea — Salvation. (1.) The original name of the son of Nun, afterwards called Joshua (Num. 13:8, 16; Deut. 32:44). (2.) 1 Chr. 27:20. The ruler of Ephraim in David's time. (3.) The last king of Israel. He conspired against and slew his predecessor, Pekah (Isa. 7:16), but did not ascend the throne till after an interregnum of warfare of eight years (2 Kings 17:1, 2). Soon after this he submitted to Shalmaneser, the Assyrian king, who a second time invaded the land to punish Hoshea, because of his withholding tribute which he had promised to pay. A second revolt brou”
STEPBible TBESG “[H3091] H3091H = (H3091H) — A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.6.14 § Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it 3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem”
Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 1:38 (YLT) — Joshua son of Nun, who is standing before thee, he goeth in thither; him strengthen thou; for he doth cause Israel to inherit.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joshua, Book Of — Named from Joshua the son of Nun, who is the principal character in it. The book may be regarded as consisting of three parts: + The conquest of Canaan; chs. 1-12. + The partition of Canaan; chs. 13-22. + Joshua's farewell; chs. 23,24. Nothing is really known as to the authorship of the book. Joshua himself is generally named as the author by the Jewish writers and the Christian fathers; but no contemporary assertion or sufficient historical proof of the fact exists, and it cannot be maintained without qualification. The last verses, ch. (Joshua 24:2”
STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3091H — Man living at the time of United Monarchy (refs: #A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.6.14; only referred to as <)”
STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3091I — Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ki.23.8; only referred to as <)”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 4:8: 4:8 Joshua is the same name as Jesus (Greek Iēsous, Hebrew Yehoshua‘). It is normally translated Joshua in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament (see also study note on Exod 17:9). The author is making a word play on Jesus’ and Joshua’s shared name. Joshua did lead God’s people into the Promised Land (Josh 3–4), but God had more in mind when he promised his people rest. God’s ultimate rest is provided by Jesus (Heb 3:13-14; 4:3, 9-11, 14-16).”
Joshua (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Joshua 1 (introduction): THE LORD APPOINTS JOSHUA TO SUCCEED MOSES. (Jos. 1:1-18) Now after the death of Moses--Joshua, having been already appointed and designated leader of Israel (Num 27:18-23), in all probability assumed the reins of government immediately "after the death of Moses." the servant of the Lord--This was the official title of Moses as invested with a special mission to make known the will of God; and it conferred great honor and authority. the Lord spake unto Joshua--probably during the period of public mourning, and either by a direct revelat”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Menachot 99b.19: The Gemara notes: And this statement of Rabbi Yishmael’s disagrees with the opinion of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani, as Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: This verse is neither an obligation nor a mitzva, but a blessing. Rabbi Yonatan explains: The Holy One, Blessed be He, saw Joshua and observed that the words of Torah were very precious to him, as it is stated: “And the Lord spoke to Moses face-to-face… and his servant Joshua, son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the Tent” (Exodus 33:11). The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Joshua:”
Numbers (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Numbers 11:28: And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses,.... That waited upon him, and ministered to him, and executed his orders, especially in civil things, and was to be his successor: one of his young men; not that Joshua was a young man in age, for he must be now between fifty and sixty years of age; see Gill on Exo 33:11; nor does the word necessarily suppose that those men were young among whom Joshua was; but choice excellent persons, the principal servants of Moses, at the head of whom Joshua was being his prime minister: the Targum of Onkelos and the Syriac vers”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 32b.13: The Gemara adds: And this is the reason that the verse criticizes Joshua for not praying for the removal of this inclination himself. How is this criticism indicated in the verse? As in every other place in the Bible, his name is written as: Yehoshua, and here it is written: Yeshua. The Gemara explains why the verse singles out Joshua for criticism: Granted, Moses, the first leader of the Jewish people, did not pray for mercy that this inclination should be removed, as at the time there was no merit of Eretz Yisrael; but Joshua, who had the merit of Eretz Yis”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Arakhin 68b.64:13: The Gemara adds: And this is the reason that the verse criticizes Joshua for not praying for the removal of this inclination himself. How is this criticism indicated in the verse? As in every other place in the Bible, his name is written as: Yehoshua, and here it is written: Yeshua. The Gemara explains why the verse singles out Joshua for criticism: Granted, Moses, the first leader of the Jewish people, did not pray for mercy that this inclination should be removed, as at the time there was no merit of Eretz Yisrael; but Joshua, who had the merit of Eretz ”

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