The evolution of the name Jesus represents a complex and unparalleled linguistic journey.
While the origin of Jesus’ name remains a subject of debate, it is believed to have evolved through natural language adaptations; several widely accepted beliefs related to this theory are presented below.
Hebrew to Greek: The name Iēsous is said to be the transliteration of the Greek name Ἰησοῦς, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua (or its shortened form, Yeshua), which means “Yahweh is salvation.” Yeshua is the Hebrew name for both Jesus and Joshua.
The Greek alphabet, unlike Hebrew, has distinct letters for vowels and consonants, which significantly altered the name’s written structure. For example, the Greek language does not have a “sh” sound, so a phonetic adaptation was necessary, and an “s” was added to the end of the name to conform to Greek grammatical rules.
Greek to Latin: The next morphological change was less significant. When the Greek scriptures were translated into Latin, Iēsous was eventually transliterated as Iesus.
Latin to English: The Tyndale, Geneva, and original King James Versions of the Bible all used the Latin transliteration “lesus.” When the letter “J” was introduced, modern translations adopted the name “Jesus.” With this final adaptation the evolution of the name Jesus was complete.
Some would argue that the English name of Jesus is a translation of a transliteration of a transliteration, representing a complex process of transliteration and linguistic adaptation across multiple languages.
Bible commentaries typically state that Joshua and Jesus are both translations of the Greek name Iēsous, which is the transliteration of Ἰησοῦς, that has an etymology from the name Yehoshua.
And although Joshua and Jesus appear to be different names, they are not. The variations in spelling result from the translation paths of their source languages.
Is Jesus the transliteration of Yehoshua?
The evolution of the name Jesus, summarized in the first section of this article, is intriguing, but ultimately it remains a fanciful theory.
The English name “Jesus” is not a transliteration of the original Hebrew name Yehoshua, nor is the Greek name Iēsous that is translated as “Jesus.”
Transliteration preserves the sounds of an original name, whereas translation conveys the meaning of a word.
Linguistic rules for transliterating Biblical names are often overlooked in many Bible translations, as proper names are typically transliterated and translated. This practice can significantly alter the pronunciation of names and obscure their original meanings.
To provide context, consider another biblical name that has not undergone convoluted linguistic changes and is accurately transliterated.
The transliteration of the Greek name Ἰωσήφ (Strong’s reference G2501) is iōsēph, pronounced “ee-o-safe,” and translated as Joseph. This name has a Hebrew origin (Strong’s reference H3130), transliterated as yôsēp̄ in the Old Testament, and pronounced as “yo-safe.”
In contrast, the transliteration of the Greek name Ἰησοῦς (Strongs reference G2424) is Iēsoûs, pronounced as “ee-ay-sooce,” and translated as both Joshua and Jesus.
Ἰησοῦς is said to have a Hebrew origin from יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Strong’s reference H3091), which is transliterated as yᵊhôšûaʿ in the Old Testament and pronounced as “yeh-ho-shoo’-ah.”
Clearly, “ee-ay-sooce” does not sound anything like “yeh-ho-shoo’-ah.” However, the pronunciation “ee-o-safe” is quite similar to “yo-safe.”
Yeshua is believed to be a shortened form of Yehoshua (Strong’s reference H3091). However, the transliteration for יֵשׁוּעַ (Strong’s reference H3442) is Yeshua, which is translated as Jeshua in the Old Testament. Yeshua is also the name of a town located in southern Judah, and this name is not found in the New Testament.
Adding to the confusion, the root word of the name Yeshua is said to be “For” יְהוֹשׁוּעַ H 3091, while the etymology of Yehoshua is said to be “From” יְהֹוָה, H3068, and יָשַׁע, H3467.
Proper names should be directly transliterated from the source language to the target language and not transliterated through multiple languages.
Also, transliterating proper names involves converting sounds from one writing system to another in order to preserve the original pronunciation from the source language.
These rules were disregarded when the evolution of the name Jesus was introduced, and were replaced with a linguistic progression chart to create the illusion that this name evolved across five languages.
Yehoshua (Hebrew)→ Yeshua (Hebrew/Aramaic) → Iēsous (Greek) → Iesus (Latin) → Jesus (English)
Are Jesus and Joshua translations of Yehoshua?
To translate is to convey the meaning of words or phrases from one language to another. Proper names should not be translated; “Joshua” and “Joseph” are adaptations of Hebrew names into English.
The decision to translate, transliterate, or substitute biblical names with titles, depended largely on the personal preferences and biases of the scribes and translators. And the rules regarding translations were modified to accommodate the evolution of the name Jesus.
When translating generic or common first names that are not associated with a specific individual into another language, it is normal for significant adaptations to occur between the source and target languages. These include phonetic changes (related to sounds) and orthographic conventions (such as spelling, punctuation, and capitalization). Since these names are not subject to strict transliteration rules, the emphasis is not on providing an phonetic match. For instance, the Russian equivalent of the English name John is Ivan.
However, biblical names should not be transliterated and then translated, and this is certainly true when it comes to the name of God.
The name of the God of the Old and New Testaments is transliterated from Hebrew into English as “Yahweh,” and is pronounced with two syllables as “Yah-weh.” Obviously the name of Yahweh cannot be translated as Lord, God, or Jehovah. It’s also important to note that there is no “J” sound or letter in the Hebrew language.
If the claim was made that the name “Jesus” is not a translation of the Greek name Iēsous, but a transliteration, it would not be accurate to say that Iēsous is the transliteration of Yehoshua. As previously mentioned, there is no phonetic similarity between “Iēsous” and “Yehoshua,” and proper names are transliterated between two languages, not three or more.
Jesus, and Iēsous do not have an etymology (or origin) from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, evidenced by the fact that neither name is a transliteration of the name Yehoshua.
In the Old Testament, the name Yehoshua is (incorrectly) translated as Joshua.
While in the New Testament, Iēsous, which is said to be the transliteration of Yehoshua, is then (incorrectly) translated as Jesus, Joshua, and Jesus (who is referred to as Justus).
If Ephesians 1:21 refers to Jesus, who is recognized as both God and Savior, then His name, which is exalted above all other names in this world, cannot be shared with anyone else or be a translation or transliteration of another person’s name.
These contradictions—which also defy common sense—indicate that the evolution of the name Jesus is illogical and, therefore, invalid.
Are Jesus and Yahweh both Saviors?
It is taught that Jesus is the only one who can save us from our sins.
If Salvation were only through the name of Jesus, the saints before his arrival would have known of him, but his name is not mentioned in any Old Testament scriptures.
In Isaiah 45:21, Yahweh declared that there is no other God apart from Him. He alone is both God and Savior; there is none other besides Him.
Can Yahweh, who is the only Savior in the Old Testament, be replaced by a different Savior in the New Testament?
The saints of the Old Testament did not call upon the name of Jesus, and New Testament believers rarely, if ever, call upon Yahweh. If Yahweh’s name had not been removed from the scriptures He inspired, New Testament believers would also call upon the name of Yahweh.
When referring to God our Savior, it’s important to avoid thinking of “the Father” and “the Son” as two separate persons; this is a human concept. Instead, understand that the Son represents the visible image of the Father in human form.
There is only one God revealed in one person. This is evidenced in many scriptures including John 14:7-9, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15, and Hebrews 1:1-4.
The Son is the appointed heir of all things, through whom the worlds were created. His brightness and radiance perfectly reflect the glory of God, as He is the exact representation of Yahweh’s essential being and nature, making the invisible God visible. The name He inherited, mentioned in Hebrews 1:4, is Yahweh, for the Son is God, and His throne is eternal.
Hidden in plain view are keys that Yahweh has provided us with, so that we can unlock the mysteries of the Holy Scriptures that he inspired.
Yahweh’s Scriptures—when they are properly deciphered—reveal that He is the only source of our salvation. The introduction of another savior besides Him is shown to be a false doctrine when examined in the light of this truth.
Yahweh clearly states that He alone is our Savior; therefore, the Messiah can only be the Savior if He is Yahweh (Isaiah 43:11, John 8:58, 1 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 1:15-17).
We read in Romans 10:9, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
In Romans 10:13, the term “Lord” is used as a substitute for the name Yahweh. So, what does confessing the Lord Jesus mean?
- Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13 reference Joel 2:31-32, indicating that at the end of this age, when Yahweh returns, those who call upon His name shall be saved.
- When Yahweh’s name is restored in these verses—replacing the misleading title of “the Lord”—it becomes evident that Romans 10:9 contradicts the accurate translation of Romans 10:13, thus invalidating it as a path to salvation, according to Yahweh.
Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved
What is the name of the Lord?
Even if we were instructed to call upon the name of the Lord, that would require “the Lord” to have a name; the Lord’s name could not be “the Lord.”
The name Yahweh (that is not found in the New Testament) is a crucial key that is required to correctly decipher the Holy Scriptures.
When we replace the word “Lord” with the name of Yahweh, the doctrine of the trinity ceases to exist.
The Doctrine of the Trinity – Fact or Fiction
“The Lord” is not a name we can call upon; those who call upon the name of Yahweh shall be saved.
Refer to the following revolutionary study guide below for an in-depth analysis of the Lords of the Old and New Testaments.
Is the name Jesus above all others?
The Old and New Testament scriptures must be harmonious and consistent rather than contradictory.
Yahweh’s name is meant to be “exalted.” However, it has been translated as “Lord,” a title that is also given to Jesus and human rulers. This misleading translation undermines numerous scriptures, including Isaiah 12:4 and Isaiah 42:8.
According to Philippians 2:9-10, God highly “exalted” Jesus, and gave him a name which is above all others, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
However, these passages contain major contradictions.
Isaiah 45:22-23 asserts, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself; the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess.”
It is suggested in Philippians 2:11 that we should confess Jesus Christ as “Lord.” But how would this glorify God the Father? According to Isaiah 42:8, the name of the Father is “the Lord.”
Additionally, the Son of God is the Father as evidenced in Isaiah 9:6 and John 14:7-9, and to kneel before the Lord Jesus and the Lord God would be to kneel before two gods.
Psalm 148:13 states: “Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above the earth and heaven.”
How can the name Jesus be above all others, when Yahweh’s name alone is to be exalted?
In Luke 2:21, it is written, “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
Who named the child Jesus, God or an angel?
Isaiah 7:14 states: “Therefore, Yahweh himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Mary and Joseph could not have called the child she conceived Jesus, as stated in Matthew 1:21, and Matthew 1:25. According to Matthew 1:23, Mary brought forth a son, and called his name Immanuel.
“Immanuel” is more than a given name; it is a prophetic title that reveals the true identity of the Holy Child born of a virgin. As the Savior and Messiah, He embodies the presence of Yahweh in human form. God’s name is Yahweh, and “Immanuel” is also a proclamation that means “Yahweh with us.”
Does God have many names?
The common misconception that God has multiple names, including “the Lord,” contradicts what Yahweh declares in Isaiah 42:8.
Furthermore, the assertion that a name is not as important as the one behind the name contradicts what has been written in the Scriptures and taught by most preachers.
One of the pillars of the doctrine of the trinity states that the Son is God, and according to Acts 4:10-12, Jesus is the only Savior. In the New Testament scriptures, there is a unique authority associated with this name.
In fact, mankind is divided into two groups according to John 3:18. Those who believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God are not condemned, while those who do not believe in His name are already condemned. But does this mean that all Old Testament saints are condemned?
None of the Messianic prophecies mention the name Jesus. However, Psalm 118:26 states, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh.”
Isaiah 9:6 refers to the Son of God using the titles “The Mighty God” and “The Everlasting Father.”
In John 14:9, the Messiah declares, “He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
Moreover, Isaiah 40:3 contains a significant prophecy about the coming of the Messiah: The voice of him that proclaims in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of Yahweh; make straight in the desert a path for our God.”
The Word was with God and the Word was God?
If Jesus is the one who created all things, what was His name during the creation of the world before mankind existed? It certainly was not “the Word,” as proposed by the Trinitarian insertion found in John 1:1.
Also, “The word of God” is not a name, as presented in Revelation 19:13. God has one name, and that name is Yahweh.
To assert that “the Word was God, and the Word was with God” implies the existence of two separate gods.
Genesis 1:26 represents another false translation related to John 1:1. And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This implies that two gods were present in the beginning.
Our Messiah declared, “Before Abraham was, I am.” He who is the personification of God in the flesh, could not have been named by God, as suggested in Philippians 2:9-10, for He is God.
John 1:12 states, “For those who believe in his name, were given the power to become the sons of God.”
The question arises: What is the Messiah’s true eternal name? The answer can be found in John 1:23, where it is written: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of Yahweh, as said the prophet, Isaiah.”
John the Baptist announced the arrival of Yahweh who manifest himself in the flesh; he did not say prepare the way for “the Word” or Jesus.
Messiah is the image of the invisible God whose name is Yahweh (Colossians 1:15, Isaiah 42:8).
It is crucial to understand that the world was framed by the spoken word of God (Hebrews 11:3).
There is no second person of the Godhead referred to as “the word,” who created all things, as suggested in John 1:3.
Yahweh alone created the Heavens and formed the Earth (Isaiah 45:18).
He literally spoke them into existence.
Why was the name of Jesus created?
Yahweh stated in Hosea 13:4: “You shall know no god but me; there is no Savior besides me.” Yahweh’s name was replaced with the title “the Lord,” which has also been attributed to another savior named Jesus.
The title of “the Lord” and the name Jesus were created to conceal this fundamental truth that was proclaimed in Isaiah 43:11, “I am Yahweh, and besides me, there is no Savior.”
The cornerstone for both the Old and New Testaments is Yahweh, who is both Savior and Messiah (unless one believes that there are two Saviors). Supporting scriptures include Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 40:3, 44:6, 45:21, Colossians 1:15, John 14:7-9, Hebrews 1:1-3, and 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Yahweh is the only Savior mentioned in the Old Testament. However, in the New Testament, there are references to two Lords and Saviors, as noted in Titus 2:13 and 1 Timothy 1:1. One Savior is referred to as Jesus, while the other remains unnamed.
According to Yahweh, there cannot be two Saviors. To reiterate, the one called Immanuel can only be our Savior if He is Yahweh.
Unfortunately, what the Messiah proclaimed in Luke 4:8 is often overlooked, He said: “You shall worship Yahweh your God, and Him only shall you serve.”
Matthew 14:33 states, “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, Truly you are the Son of God.”
The only reason our Savior could accept the worship of others, is that He is the personification of Yahweh in the flesh (Matthew 2:2, 2:11, 9:18, 15:25, 28:9).
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Yahweh, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest
Psalm 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Yahweh; and shall glorify thy name