The Significance of the Name Yeshua

by Stephen Otto

The English name “Jesus” is the result of three phases of transliteration. First, His original name, ישוע, was transliterated into Greek as “Iēsous.” Next, the Greek name Iēsous was transliterated into Latin as “Iesus.” And finally, the Latin name Iesus was transliterated into English as “Jesus.” The resulting name is so far removed from the original Hebrew that it sounds nothing like it and means nothing etymologically.

In contrast, the name “Yeshua” is the result of one phase of transliteration, Hebrew to English. Also, the name “Yeshua” sounds exactly like the original Hebrew name when spoken, which etymologically means, “Yehovah saves.” This aligns with Matthew 1:21, which states, “You shall call His name ישוע [Yehovah saves] for it is He who shall save His people from their sins.”

Some people believe that the entire New Testament was written in Greek. Matthew 1:21 states, "She shall bring forth a Son. You shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who shall save His people from their sins.” If the gospel of Matthew were written in Greek, then the name “Iēsous” would have been used. However, the name Iēsous, and its English transliteration, “Jesus,” lack meaningful significance and fail to connect to His role as Savior within the text.

When you use the Hebrew name, Yeshua, which means "Yehovah saves," in the text, the message becomes clear. The text then reads, "She shall bring forth a Son. You shall call His name Yeshua [Yehovah saves]. for it is He who shall save His people from their sins.” Now the connection between His name, which means "Yehovah saves," and His role as Savior is clear. Thus, the truth is that the gospel of Matthew was written in Hebrew and that the accurate name of our Savior is "Yeshua."