What’s in a name: Jesus or Yahushua. Here’s a clear contrast between the names “Jesus” and “Yahushua”—their origins, meanings, and implications—to help you understand the differences from a linguistic, historical, and spiritual perspective:
🔍 Name Comparison: “Jesus” vs. “Yahushua”
| Aspect | Jesus | Yahushua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ) |
|---|---|---|
| Language of Origin | Greek → Latin → English | Original Hebrew |
| Transliteration Path | Hebrew → Greek (Iēsous) → Latin (Iesus) → English (Jesus) | Directly from Hebrew (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ) |
| Meaning | The name “Jesus” in English does not have a direct meaning. It is a transliteration, not a translation. | “Yahuah is Salvation” or “Yahuah Saves.” From Hebrew root: Yahu (יהו) = Yahuah (the divine name); shua (שׁוּעַ) = saves/delivers |
| Used in Scriptures | Found in the New Testament as Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) in Greek manuscripts | Found in the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh) and is the real name of Joshua (Moses’ successor), who shares the same Hebrew name |
| Original Name of the Messiah? | “Jesus” is not what Mary (Miryam) or others would have called Him. It’s the later Greek/Latin version | “Yahushua” is what His name would have been in Hebrew culture and usage |
| First Appearance | Around the 3rd–4th century CE, the name “Jesus” began to take form in Latin and then English | Found in the Old Testament (e.g., Joshua son of Nun) and was used in 1st-century Israel |
| Pronunciation Changes | Introduced the “J” sound (not present in Hebrew or Greek); shifted from “Iesus” to “Jesus” in English in the 1600s | Preserves Hebrew sounds and connection to the Name of the Father (Yahuah) |
| Theological Implication | “Jesus” is widely used and accepted, but obscures the original meaning and the Father’s Name | “Yahushua” directly connects the Son to the Father and proclaims the mission: Yah saves |
📖 Scriptural Insights
🔹 “Jesus” in the Greek New Testament:
- Greek manuscripts use Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), a Hellenized form, because Greek lacked the “sh” and “y” sounds.
- This was adapted for non-Hebrew speakers but lost the connection to “Yahuah” and “salvation.”
🔹 “Yahushua” in the Hebrew context:
- The same Hebrew name used for Joshua (Moses’ successor) is identical to the Messiah’s Hebrew name.
- Joshua = Yahushua = יְהוֹשֻׁעַ
- See Numbers 13:16: Moses changed Hoshea (salvation) to Yahushua (Yahuah is salvation) — a prophetic picture of the Messiah.
Matthew 1:21 – “You shall call His name Yahushua, for He shall save His people from their sins.”
(Paraphrased using original Hebrew form)
Why This Matters
- Using “Jesus” is not inherently wrong—countless people have come to salvation through faith in that name.
- But learning and using “Yahushua” can restore the depth and meaning of the name, revealing the intimate connection between the Son and the Father (Yahuah).
- It reflects a heart to return to the roots of the faith, honoring Scripture and the Hebrew identity of the Messiah.
🕊️ Final Thought
John 17:6 – “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.”
Understanding the Messiah’s original name Yahushua helps restore what He came to reveal: the Name, power, and salvation of Yahuah.
Shalom!
