Yeshua, Jesus, and the Divine Name: What’s in a Name?

Have you ever wondered why the name of Jesus looks so different from His original Hebrew name? And what about modern attempts to restore the Divine Name into that transliteration?

Where It All Began: Yehoshua and Yeshua

The Messiah’s original name in Hebrew was יהושע (Yehoshua), meaning “YHWH is salvation.” In later Hebrew and Aramaic texts, a shortened form appeared: ישוע (Yeshua).

From Hebrew to English: How Did We Get Jesus?

The name traveled through three major languages:

• Hebrew: Yehoshua / Yeshua
• Greek: Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) – Greek had no “sh” sound and added -os.
• Latin: Iesus → later English: Jesus

Infographic: Name Transmission Tree (Hebrew → Greek → Latin → English)

Myth vs. Fact

Myth: “The name Jesus comes from the Egyptian goddess Isis.”
Fact: There’s no linguistic or historical connection. Jesus derives from Hebrew Yehoshua, through Greek and Latin adaptations.

Modern Restorations: IEUESHUO’ and Beyond

Some believe names like IEUESHUO’ better honor the Divine Name by including letters from the Tetragrammaton (יהוה). But here’s the truth:

• These forms are modern devotional constructs—not found in ancient manuscripts.
• They remind us of God’s name, but they’re not historically authentic.

Should We Use Them?

If you want historical accuracy, use Yeshua or Yehoshua. If you’re emphasizing theology, forms like IEUESHUO’ can be meaningful—as long as you explain they’re interpretive, not original.

Quick Reference Table

Form	Preserves YHWH?	Historical?
Yehoshua	Yes	Yes
Yeshua	Yes (prefix)	Yes
Iēsous	No	Yes
IEUESHUO’	Yes	No

Final Thought:

The name Jesus isn’t a mistake—it’s the natural outcome of linguistic shifts. But understanding the Hebrew roots gives us a deeper appreciation of the meaning: “YHWH is salvation.”

“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” — William Faulkner