Jesus

For the Biblical Hebrew origin see: Joshua.  See also: Christ.

The name “Jesus” is the result of three steps of transliteration. First, His original, Hebrew name, ישוע, was transliterated into Greek as “Iēsous.” Second, the Greek name Iēsous was transliterated into Latin as “Iesus.” And third, the Latin name Iesus was transliterated into English as “Jesus.” The name is so far removed from the original Hebrew name that it sounds nothing like it and means nothing etymologically. In contrast, the name “Yeshua” is the result of only one phase of transliteration, directly from Hebrew to English. It is the shortened form of the transliterated name “Yehoshua” (Deut. 3:21). Also, the name “Yeshua,” sounds exactly like the original Hebrew name when spoken,” which etymologically means, “יהוה saves.” This is consistent with Matthew 1:21, which prophesies, “You shall call His name Yeshua [יהוה saves] for it is He who shall save His people from their sins.” Thus, for the sake of accuracy, the Hebrew name of the Savior, ישוע, has been transliterated as Yeshua.