Jesus in the Old Testament 012:
The Name of Jesus
Thesis: Jesus’
name, in Hebrew, is Yeshuah. The Aramaic equivalent is “Yeshua.” It appears 61 times in 48 passages in the OT
exactly as his name and is translated, “Yahweh saves,” “saving power,” or
“salvation.” Several of these passages
(not all), when translated instead as his name, are prophetic and
instructive. To the Jew who rejects
Jesus as Messiah and God, this can be a powerful piece of the argument that,
just as Jesus claimed, all the scriptures are about him.
- Nutshell (>5 min w/kids)
- Do you know the meaning of your
name?
- Do people ever call you something
other than your given name? A nickname or pet name?
- Do you know what Jesus’ name means?
- Jesus is an English spelling of a
German translation of the Latin version of the Greek word that sounded
most like the Aramaic name Yeshua.
- Jesus would have been called
“Yeshua” by his mother.
- Yeshua means “The Lord is
salvation.” or “The Lord Saves.”
- That is why we call him “Savior.”
It’s who he is and what his name means.
- Would you be surprised to know that
his name shows up 61 times in the OT?
- Even as early as Genesis 49, he is
in the scripture by name.
- We are going to look at lots of places where his name shows up
and see what we can learn about him.
- Deeper
- Hebrew word:
- יָשַׁע yasha (446b); a prim. root; to deliver:
- יְשׁוּעָה yeshuah (447b); from 3467; salvation:—deeds of deliverance(1),
deliverance(6), help(4), prosperity(1), salvation(61), save(1),
saving(1), security(1), victories(1), victory(1).
- יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yehoshua (221c); from 3068 and 3467; “the
LORD is salvation,” Moses’ successor, also the name of a number of
Isr.:—Jeshua(28), Joshua(219).
- יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua (1096b); (Ara.) corr.
- The name Jeshua is properly
pronounced “Yeshua.” The “J” associated with many biblical names and
places comes from German transliterations of Hebrew words (in German,
the letter “J” is pronounced like an English “Y”). Jeshua (Yeshua) is a
shortened form of the name Joshua (Yoshua) or Jehoshua (Yehoshua). The
difference between the earlier and later forms is that the theophoric
element Jeho (Yeho), meaning “the Lord,” is contracted to Je (Ye). This
is a trend in postexilic narrative writing (i.e., from 538 BC
onward). <Wilson, D. K., &
Balogh, A. L. (2016). Jeshua, Ancient Name of. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar,
D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W.
Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham
Press.>
- “Yeshua” or “Yehoshua” as a
Biblical word shows up hundreds of times in the OT. It has several inflected forms.
- It shows up, exactly as Jesus’
name, nearly 300 times.
- Nearly 250 of those references are
translated as a proper name of a contemporaneous person (Joshua or
Jeshua).
- 52 times, it is not translated as
a name but as the phrase “Yahweh saves,” “Salvation,” or “Saving
Power.” Those occurrences can be read past without registering that this is the name of our Lord in the text.
- Some (admittedly, not all) of
those occurrences, when translated rather as the name Yeshua, become prophetic of Jesus or instructive to us.
- Evangelistic power:
- Jews claim that Jesus is not
mentioned in the OT.
- Not only is his name there, but
the OT describes the Jewish rejection of him by name several times.
- The OT also promises blessings and
eternal life to those who will trust in Jesus, again, speaking of him by
name.
- When they see this, it goes a long
way to demonstrate to them the truth of Jesus’ claims to Messiahship and
Godhead.
- General Instructive references:
- First occurrence: Gen 49:18 I wait
for your YESHUA, O Lord.
a) They knew that Messiah was coming early
on and were looking:
(1) Gen 3:15
(2) Deut 18:15
b) Jesus was not to come at the beginning of
the story of man’s struggle against his sin, but when God declared that it was
the proper time:
(1) Gal 4:4-5
(2) Eph 1:7-10
- Ex 14:13 And Moses said to the
people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the YESHUA of the LORD, which he
will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall
never see again.
a) In context, it is the Angel of the Lord
which goes before the people (Ex 13:21; 14:19).
We have already concluded that this is Jesus.
b) Here, Yeshua is declared as emanating
from the Father, which Jesus teaches explicitly:
(1) John 10:30
(2) John 14:9
- Ex 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my
song, and he has become my YESHUA; this is my God, and I will praise
him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
a) After God delivers through the Red Sea,
Moses praises God and declares that God “has become” or “has been revealed as”
Yeshua.
b) Ex 6:3 God determined to reveal himself
in a new way to Israel as their covenant-keeping God. Afterward, Moses declares that God has become
Yeshua.
- 2 Chron 20:17 You will not need to
fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the YESHUA
of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and
do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be
with you.”
a) Jesus alone saves us, apart from any work
we might be able to accomplish (Rom 3:21-25; Eph 2:8-9)
b) Jesus wins the victory and then invites
his people to march out with him and observe the victory, not fight to obtain
it (1Cor 10:13; Rev 19:11-19)
- Psa 28:8 The LORD is the strength
of his people; he is the YESHUA of his MESSIAH.
a)
Much MSS diversity on this passage. Several manuscript traditions
allow for much fewer words in the original.
b)
Possible Translation: The LORD is Yeshua the Messiah for his
people.
c)
Given that smaller text, this is an amazing text to demonstrate the
divinity of Christ in the OT.
- Isa 12:2 “Behold, God is my
YESHUA; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my
strength and my song, and he has become my YESHUA.”
a)
A clear statement of the divinity of Jesus twice in this passage.
b)
Once, in a declarative sense and once as a worshipful response.
- Jer 23:3 Truly the hills are a
delusion, the orgies on the mountains. Truly the LORD our God is YESHUA
of Israel.
a) Reference in comparison to the paganism
of the day that worshipped at high places.
b) God is worshiped in spirit and in truth
(John 4).
c) The Lord God is Yeshua. A clear statement of the divinity of Jesus.
- Hab 3:13 You went out for the
YESHUA of your people, for the YESHUA your MESSIAH. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah
a) Ultimately, Christ will be exalted above
all his enemies (Psa 110:1; 1Cor 15:26; Col 2:15)
b) Here we have not only his name but his
office. In Greek, this would read “Jesus
Christ.”
- References to use when speaking
with Jews
- Psa 14:7 Oh, that YESHUA for
Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
a) Begin with his name translated
“salvation” and ask what this promise is referring to. It is messianic.
b) Then, reveal that “salvation” is
“Yeshua.” Read it again.
c) Yeshua has come out of Israel. The Jews who believed have rejoiced, although
it is not yet universal.
- Deut 32:15 “But Jeshurun grew fat, and
kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him
and scoffed at the Rock of his YESHUA.
a) Jeshurun is a character in a fable or
parable that Moses tells to warn Israel not to rebel against the Lord.
b) It is also prophetic that Israel will
reject their Messiah, at least initially.
c) Psa 118:22
d) Mat 21:42
- Psa78:21-22 Therefore, when the
LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his
anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did
not trust his YESHUA.
a) Judgment has come to the house of Israel
because of their rejection of Yeshua.
b) In fact, one of the main reasons why the
tribulation will happen is to drive Israel to repentance on the matter of their
faith in Jesus (Jer 30:3-7)
- Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD has
proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your YESHUA comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his
recompense before him.”
a) Jesus is coming again to judge the earth.
b) He brings both reward and punishment for
everyone, but specifically in this passage for Jews, based on your treatment of
Yeshua.
- Isa 25:9 It will be said on that
day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might
save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and
rejoice in his YESHUA.”
a) If you will trust in the promises of God
and the work of Yeshua, you will be able to rest and rejoice on the day of his
second coming.
b) Declare that Yeshua is God and believe in
his work, and you will be saved (Rom 10:9-10).
- Application:
- The name of Jesus, Yeshua or Yehoshua,
is a big deal. We need to take this seriously.
a) John 20:30-31
b) Acts 4:12
c) Ex 20:7
- The second person of the Godhead
has always been the one through whom salvation is achieved. He has been revealing himself to us in
that way since the beginning.
- As we interact with Jews or others
who would say that Jesus is not in the OT, we need to know that this is
not the case. Jesus has
introduced himself to us by name all throughout the OT.
Discussion Guide:
- Why is it important to know what the
name of Jesus means?
- Read one or two of your favorite
“Yeshua” references from the list and talk about them as a family.
- What can we learn about Jesus from
these passages?
- How can we use some of these
passages to help our Jewish friends know and believe in Jesus as their
Savior?
Illustrative Passages with “Yeshua”:
Gen 49:18 I wait for your
YESHUA, O Lord.
Ex 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see
the YESHUA of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians
whom you see today, you shall never see again.
Ex 15:2 The LORD is my
strength and my song, and he has become
my YESHUA; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will
exalt him.
Deut 32:15 “But Jeshurun
grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who
made him and scoffed at the Rock of his YESHUA.
I Sam 2:1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my
horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in
your YESHUA.
2 Sam 22:51 Great YESHUA
he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his MESSIAH, to David and
his offspring forever.”
1 Chron 16:23-25 Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of YESHUA from
day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all
the peoples! For great is the LORD, and
greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.
2 Chron 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm,
hold your position, and see the YESHUA of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and
Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against
them, and the LORD will be with you.”
Job 13:15-16 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue
my ways to his face. This will be my YESHUA, that the godless shall not come
before him.
Psa 3:1-3 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul, “There is no YESHUA for him in God.” Selah But you,
O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psa 9:13-14 Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those
who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount
all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in
your YESHUA.
Psa 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall
rejoice in your YESHUA.
Psa 14:7 Oh, that YESHUA for Israel would come out of Zion! When the
LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be
glad.
Psa 18:50 Great YESHUA he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love
to his MESSIAH, to David and his offspring forever.
Psa 20:5-7 May we shout for joy over your YESHUA, and in the name of
our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! I know
that the LORD saves his MESSIAH; he will answer him from his holy heaven with
the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God
Psa 28:8 The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the YESHUA of
his MESSIAH.
Psa 35:9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his
YESHUA.
Psa 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil
within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my YESHUA and my God.
Psa 62:1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my
YESHUA. He alone is my rock and my YESHUA, my fortress; I shall not be greatly
shaken.
Psa 62:5-7 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is
from him. He only is my rock and my YESHUA, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my YESHUA and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Psa 68:19-20: Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our
YESHUA. Selah Our God is a God of YESHUA, and to GOD, the Lord, belong
deliverances from death.
Psa 70:4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those
who love your YESHUA say evermore, “God is great!”
Psa78:21-22 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a
fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, because they did
not believe in God and did not trust his Yeshua.
Psa 89:26-29 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the
Rock of my YESHUA.’ and I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings
of the earth. My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant
will stand firm for him. I will establish his offspring forever and his throne
as the days of the heavens.
Psa 91:14-16 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver
him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will
answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my YESHUA."
Psa 96:1-3 Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the
earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his YESHUA from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
Psa 98:2-3 The LORD has made known his YESHUA; he has revealed his
righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love
and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen
the YESHUA of our God.
Psa 118:14-15 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my
YESHUA. Glad songs of YESHUA are in the tents of the righteous:
Psa 118:20-22 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter
through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my YESHUA.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Psa 119:123 My eyes long for your YESHUA and for the fulfillment of
your righteous promise.
Psa 140:6-7 I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice
of my pleas for mercy, O LORD! O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my YESHUA, you
have covered my head in the day of battle.
Psa 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the
humble with YESHUA.
Isa 12:2 “Behold, God is my YESHUA; I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my YESHUA.”
Isa 25:9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we
have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited
for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his YESHUA.”
Isa 49:6-10 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my
servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of
Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my YESHUA may reach to
the end of the earth.” Thus says the LORD: “In a time of favor I have answered
you; in a day of YESHUA I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a
covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate
heritages, Saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’
to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways;
on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst,
neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them
will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.
Isa 51:6-8 Lift up your eyes to
the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in
like manner; but my YESHUA will be forever, and my righteousness will never be
dismayed. “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart
is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.
For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like
wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my YESHUA to all generations.”
Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who
brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who
publishes YESHUA, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isa 52:10 The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the
nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the YESHUA of our God.
Isa 56:1 Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for
soon my YESHUA will come, and my righteousness be revealed.
Isa 59:16-17 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was
no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him YESHUA, and his righteousness
upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of YESHUA on
his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in
zeal as a cloak.
Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say
to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your YESHUA comes; behold, his reward is with
him, and his recompense before him.”
Jer 23:3 Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains.
Truly the LORD our God is YESHUA of Israel.
Hab 3:13 You went out for the YESHUA of your people, for the YESHUA
your MESSIAH. You crushed the head of
the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah
