"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Joshua Meaning in the Bible
Joshua
boy
Joshua means "The LORD is salvation", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Joshua appears in the King James Bible, and Joshua 1:9 is the passage most often tied to it. Joshua's name is a proclamation that salvation belongs to the LORD. His life of courageous faith reminds us that God goes before us into every battle and that victory is assured when we follow His commands.
Is Joshua in the Bible?
Yes — Joshua appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/JOSH-oo-uh/
What does Joshua mean?
Joshua is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "The LORD is salvation". Joshua means "The LORD is salvation" in Hebrew — the same root from which the name Jesus (Yeshua) is derived. Joshua was Moses' faithful assistant who became the leader who brought Israel into the Promised Land.
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What does Joshua mean in the Bible?
Joshua means "The LORD is salvation" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Joshua means "The LORD is salvation" in Hebrew — the same root from which the name Jesus (Yeshua) is derived. Joshua was Moses' faithful assistant who became the leader who brought Israel into the Promised Land.
Joshua's military leadership was guided entirely by faith. The conquest of Jericho — where the walls fell after Israel marched around the city for seven days — demonstrated that victory comes from obedience to God, not military strategy. His command, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15), remains one of the most quoted declarations in Scripture.
Joshua's life is a type (foreshadowing) of Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel into the earthly Promised Land, Jesus leads believers into eternal life. The connection between their names makes this typology especially powerful.
Where does Joshua appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Joshua is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Joshua 1:9. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Joshua?
Joshua has 4 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Yeshua
Yehoshua
Common nicknames
Josh
Jesus
Who was Joshua in the Bible?
Joshua is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Joshua in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Joshua?
Joshua is mentioned across 5 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Joshua?
Joshua's name is a proclamation that salvation belongs to the LORD. His life of courageous faith reminds us that God goes before us into every battle and that victory is assured when we follow His commands.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Joshua:
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Joshua 1:9 — Meaning & Devotional
Courage
Word Meaning
Rock (צוּר (tsur))
A symbol of God's strength, stability, refuge, and unchanging faithfulness.
Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
What names are related to Joshua?
Names like Joshua
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "The LORD is salvation" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Joshua
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Joshua
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Joshua name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Joshua appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Joshua means "The LORD is salvation." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Joshua comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "The LORD is salvation." It appears in the King James Bible.
Common questions about the name Joshua
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Joshua?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Joshua?
You can read every verse where Joshua appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.