Jeshua

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

1.  1 Chronicles 24:11. See as to his descendants Jedaiah ( Ezra 2:36).

2.  2 Chronicles 31:15.

3. Son of Jehozadak who went into captivity ( 1 Chronicles 6:15). First high priest of the third series, namely, that which succeeded the Babylonian captivity; ancestor of the 14 high priests down to Joshua (or Jason) and Onias (or Menelaus). Zerubbabel's contemporary. Came from Babylon in Cyrus' first year; took part in rebuilding the temple; first of all restored the altar and daily sacrifice, then in the second month of the second year of the return from Babylon laid the foundation of the temple (Ezra 3). Fourteen years' interruption to the work was caused by the Samaritans' influence upon Artaxerxes (pseudo-Smerdis). It was resumed in Darius Hystaspis' year by Jeshua and Zerubbabel, with Haggai's ( Haggai 1:1;  Haggai 1:12;  Haggai 1:14;  Haggai 2:1-9) and Zechariah's cooperation (Zechariah 1-8), and completed in his sixth year, on the 3rd of the month Adar.

At the dedication a sin-offering was offered "for all Israel, 12 he-goats, according to the number of the tribes" ( Ezra 6:15-22), and they kept the Passover "seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of the God of Israel." Jeshua represents Jerusalem (and so the church) before Jehovah; accused by Satan, but justified by Jehovah, of His own will and choice, through Messiah his Advocate, who strips off his rags (compare  Isaiah 64:6), and "clothes him with change of raiment (the filthy garments were worn by those on trial; the white robe or caftan is put on an Eastern minister of state when acquitted; compare  Isaiah 61:10), and sets a fair (symbolizing purity) mitre (the priestly turban, the pledge of the reestablished priesthood) upon his head," in answer to Zechariah's prayer  Zechariah 3:1-9). So the wedding garment, Christ's righteousness, imputed for justification, imparted for sanctification ( Matthew 22:11).

The restoration of the glory of the priesthood was first at the completion of the second temple, fully in Jesus or Joshua, who represents Israel, "the kingdom of priests" ( Exodus 19:6). Once clad in our vileness, yet He was the chosen of the Father ( Isaiah 42:1;  Isaiah 44:1;  Isaiah 49:1-3). Ceasing from connection with sin by death, in garments of glory He has entered the heavenly holy place as our High-priest ( Hebrews 8:1;  Hebrews 9:24). So now ( 1 Peter 2:5) the "holy priesthood" is not restricted to one order; all Christians are priests unto God, arrayed in "the best robe" ( Luke 15:22;  Revelation 19:8). So the literal Israel hereafter ( Isaiah 3:6;  Isaiah 66:21). They of the captivity brought silver and gold, which were made into crowns and set upon Jeshua's head by Jehovah's command; symbolizing the combination of kingship and priesthood in Messiah, unknown to the Levitical priesthood, realized in Him of whom Melehizedek was type ( Zechariah 6:9-13;  Psalms 110:1-4; Hebrew 5-6).

"The counsel of peace shall be between both" the kingship and the priesthood. As priest He expiates sin, as king He extirpates it. It is the "counsel" of infinite wisdom ( Isaiah 9:6;  Ephesians 1:8-11;  Hebrews 6:17) to reconcile God's justice as a king with His love as father and priest. Only by being pardoned by His priestly atonement and ruled by His kingly laws we find "peace;" ( Luke 2:14;  Acts 10:36;  Ephesians 2:13-17).

4.  Nehemiah 8:17.

5. Chief of a Levitical house that assisted Zerubbabel, and long subsequently Ezra and Nehemiah ( Ezra 2:40;  Ezra 3:9;  Nehemiah 3:17-19;  Nehemiah 8:7;  Nehemiah 9:45;  Nehemiah 12:8). "Jeshua" is used either for the whole family or its successive heads. Jeshua and Kadmiel were "sons (descendants) of Hodaviah," or Judah ( Ezra 3:9;  Ezra 2:40), but Jeshua's immediate ancestor was Azaniah ( Nehemiah 10:9). In  Nehemiah 12:24, the text is corrupt probably; "Jeshua and Kadmiel," or "and the sons of Kadmiel" may be conjectured:

6.  Nehemiah 7:11;  Nehemiah 10:14;  Ezra 10:30.

7. A town reinhabited by the people of Judah on the return from Babylon ( Nehemiah 11:26). On the line of retreat of the five kings who fought at Gibeon, midway between the lower Bethhoron and Shochoh, near Azekah, is the large village Yeshua, which probably commemorates Joshua's commanding the sun to stand still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, a day without a parallel ( Joshua 10:12-14).

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Jeshua (another form of Joshua ). 1. Joshua the son of Nun (  Nehemiah 8:17 ). 2. The head of the ninth course of priests (  1 Chronicles 24:11 ). 3. A Levite in the time of Hezekiah (  2 Chronicles 31:15 ). 4. A man of the house of Pahath-moab whose descendants returned with Zerub. (  Ezra 2:6 ,   Nehemiah 7:11 [ 1E  Esther 5:11 Jesus ]); perhaps identical with No. 2 above. 5. A Levitical house or its successive heads in the times of Zerub., Ezra, and Nehemiah; mentioned in connexion with the building of the Temple (  Ezra 3:9 ), the explanation of the Law (  Nehemiah 8:7; cf.   Nehemiah 9:4 f.), and the sealing of the covenant (  Nehemiah 10:9 ). Cf. also   Ezra 2:40 [ 1Es 5:26 Jesus ] 1Es 8:33 [ 1Es 8:63 Jesus ],   Nehemiah 7:43;   Nehemiah 12:8;   Nehemiah 12:24 .   Nehemiah 12:6 . The high priest who along with Zerub. headed the first band of exiles. In Ezr. and Neb. he is called Jeshua, in Hag. and Zec. Joshua . He took a leading part in the erection of the altar of burnt-offering and the laying of the foundations of the Temple (  Ezra 3:2 ff.). In Hag. and Zec. he is frequently coupled with Zerub., after these prophets had begun to stimulate the people to undertake building operations in earnest (  Haggai 1:1;   Haggai 1:12;   Haggai 1:14 ,   Zechariah 3:1 ff;   Zechariah 6:10-11 ). He is eulogized in Sir 49:12 [ Jesus ], 7. A priestly family,   Ezra 2:36 =   Nehemiah 7:39 = 1Es 5:24 [ Jesus ]. 8. A town in the south of Judah (  Nehemiah 11:26 ). The site is possibly at the ruin Sa’wi west of Tett ’Arad and south of ‘Attîr .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Jesh'ua. (a saviour). Another form of the name of Joshua or Jesus .

1. Joshua, the son of Nun.  Nehemiah 8:17. See Joshua .

2. A priest, in the reign of David, to whom the nine course fell by David, to whom the ninth course fell by lot.  1 Chronicles 24:11. (B.C. 1014).

3. One of the Levites, in the reign of Hezekiah.  2 Chronicles 31:15. (B.C. 726).

4. Son of Jehozadak, first high priest, after the Babylonish captivity, B.C. 536. Jeshua was probably born in Babylon, whither his father, Jehozadak, had been taken captive while young.  1 Chronicles 6:15. Authorized Version. He came up from Babylon, in the first year of Cyrus, with Zerubbabel, and took a leading part with him, in the rebuilding of the Temple, and the restoration of the Jewish commonwealth. The two prophecies concerning him in  Zechariah 3:1 and  Zechariah 6:9-15, point him out, as an eminent type of Christ .

5. Head of a Levitical house, one of those which returned from the Babylonish captivity.  Ezra 2:40;  Ezra 3:9;  Nehemiah 3:19;  Nehemiah 8:7;  Nehemiah 9:4-5;  Nehemiah 12:8; etc.

6. A branch of the family of Pahath-moab, one of the chief families, probably, of the tribe of Judah.  Nehemiah 10:14;  Nehemiah 7:11; etc.;  Ezra 10:30.

(whom Jehovah helps).

7. One of the towns, reinhabited by the people of Judah, after the return from captivity.  Nehemiah 11:26. It is not mentioned elsewhere.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 1 Chronicles 24:11 2 Chronicles 31:15 3 Ezra 2:2 Ezra 2:36 Ezra 2:40 Ezra 3:2-6 Ezra 3:8-4:24 Ezra 5:2-6:15 Haggai 1:1 Haggai 1:12-14 Haggai 2:4 Ezra 10:18-19 Zechariah 3:1 Zechariah 4:14 Zechariah 6:12-13

4. A clan related to the Pahath-moab or governor of Moab, some of whose members returned from Exile with Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:6 ).  5 . Father of Exer, the Jewish governor of the district of Mizpah under Persian rule ( Nehemiah 3:19 ).  6 . A Levite who signed Nehemiah's covenant to obey God's law ( Nehemiah 10:9 ).  7 . A clan of Levites in the postexilic community, probably having some connection with the clan of 1. 8. Name for conquest hero Joshua, son of Nun ( Nehemiah 8:17 ). See Joshua .

9. Village in Judah where some Jews lived after returning from Exile ( Nehemiah 11:26 ). It may be modern tell es-Sawi, northeast of Beersheba.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Nehemiah 8:17; Joshua, the son of Nun.

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Jeshua'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/j/jeshua.html. 1897.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Or  Ezra 4:3   5:2 . His name occurs in the prophecies of the time,  Haggai 1:1   2:2   Zechariah 3:1-10   6:11-15 .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. Yeshu'a, יְשׁוּעִ, a contracted form of Joshua, i.q. Jesus; Sept. Ι᾿ησοῦς ), the name of several men, also of a place.

1. ( Nehemiah 8:17.) (See Joshua).

2. The head of the ninth sacerdotal "class" as arranged by David ( 1 Chronicles 24:11, where the name is Anglicized "Jeshuah"). B.C. 1014. He is thought by some to be the Jeshua of  Ezra 2:36. But see No. 6.

3. One of the Levites appointed by Hezekiah to distribute the sacred offerings in the sacerdotal cities ( 2 Chronicles 31:15). B.C. 726.

4. A descendant (or native) of Pahath-moab (q.v.) mentioned along with Joab as one whose posterity, to the number of 2812 (2818), returned from Babylon ( Ezra 2:6;  Nehemiah 7:11). B.C. ante 536.

5. A Levite named along with Kadmiel as one whose descendants (called "children" [? inhabitants] of Hodaviah or Hodeviah), to the number of 74, returned from Babylon ( Ezra 2:40;  Nehemiah 7:43). B.C. ante 536. See Nos. 9 and 10.

6. Jeshua (or Joshua as he is called in  Haggai 1:1;  Haggai 1:12;  Haggai 2:2;  Haggai 2:4;  Zechariah 3:1;  Zechariah 3:3;  Zechariah 3:6;  Zechariah 3:8-9), the "son" of Jozadak or Jozedech, and high priest of the Jews when they returned, under Zerubbabel, from the Babylonian exile ( Nehemiah 7:7;  Nehemiah 12:1;  Nehemiah 12:7;  Nehemiah 12:10;  Nehemiah 12:26;  Ezra 2:2;  Ezra 10:18). B.C. 536. He was doubtless born during the exile. His presence and exhortations greatly promoted the rebuilding of the city and Temple ( Ezra 5:2). B.C. 520-446. The altar of the latter being first erected enabled him to sanctify their labor by the religious ceremonies and offerings which the law required ( Ezra 3:2;  Ezra 3:8-9). Jeshua joined with Zerubbabel in opposing the machinations of the Samaritans ( Ezra 4:3); and he was not found wanting in zeal (comp. Ecclesiastes 49:12) when the works, after having been interrupted, were resumed in the second year of Darius Hystaspis ( Ezra 5:2;  Haggai 1:12). Several of the prophet Haggai's utterances are addressed to Jeshua ( Haggai 1:1;  Haggai 2:2), and his name occurs in two of the symbolical prophecies of Zechariah ( Zechariah 3:1-10;  Zechariah 6:11-15). In the first of these passages, Jeshua, as pontiff, represents the Jewish people covered at first with the garb of slaves, and afterwards with the new and glorious vestures of deliverance. In the second he wears for a moment crowns of silver and gold, as symbols of the sacerdotal and regal crowns of Israel, which were to be united on the head of the Messiah. — Kitto. (See High Priest). He is probably the person alluded to in  Ezra 2:36;  Nehemiah 7:39. (See Jediah).

7. Father of Jozabad, which latter was one of the Levites appointed by Ezra to take charge of the offerings for the sacred services ( Ezra 8:33). B.C. ante 459.

8. The father of Ezer, which latter is mentioned as "the ruler of Mizpah" who repaired part of the walls of Jerusalem after the exile ( Nehemiah 3:19). B.C. ante 446.

9. A Levite, son of Azaniah ( Nehemiah 10:9), who actively cooperated in the reformation instituted by Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 8:7;  Nehemiah 9:4-5;  Nehemiah 12:8). B.C. cir. 410. He was possibly identical with No. 5.

10. Son of Kadmiel, one of the Levites in the Temple on its restoration after the captivity, in the time of Eliashib ( Nehemiah 12:24). B.C. cir. 406. Perhaps, however, "son" is here a transcriber's error for "and;" so that this Jeshua will be the same as No. 5.

11. A city of Judah inhabited after the captivity, mentioned in connection with Jekabzeel, Moladah, and other towns in the lowlands of Judah ( Nehemiah 11:26). According to Schwarz (Palest. p. 116), it is the village Yesue, near Khulda, five English miles east of Ekron; doubtless the village Yeshua [locally pronounced Eshwa ] seen by Dr. Robinson (new edit. of Researches, 3, 154,155), and laid down on Van de Velde's Map on wady Ghurab, between Zorah and Chesalon.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Jesh´ua, or Joshua, son of Jozedech, and high priest of the Jews when they returned, under Zerubbabel, from the Babylonian exile (B.C. 536). He was, doubtless, born during the exile. His presence and exhortations greatly promoted the rebuilding of the city and temple. The altar of the latter being first erected, enabled him to sanctify their labor by the religious ceremonies and offerings which the law required. Jeshua joined with Zerubbabel in opposing the machinations of the Samaritans and he was not found wanting in zeal when the works, after having been interrupted, were resumed in the second year of Darius Hystaspis . Several of the prophet Haggai's utterances are addressed to Jeshua , and his name occurs in two of the symbolical prophecies of Zechariah . In the first of these passages Jeshua, as pontiff, represents the Jewish people covered at first with the garb of slaves, and afterwards with the new and glorious vestures of deliverance. In the second he wears for a moment crowns of silver and gold, as symbols of the sacerdotal and regal crowns of Israel, which were to be united on the head of the Messiah.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

jesh ´- ū́ - a , jḗ - shū ´- a ( ישוּע , yēshūa‛ ): A place occupied by the children of Judah after their return from captivity (  Nehemiah 11:26 ), evidently, from the places named with it, in the extreme South of Judah. It may correspond with the Shema of  Joshua 15:26 , and possibly to the Sheba of  Joshua 19:2 . The site may be Khirbet Sā‛weh , a ruin upon a prominent hill, Tell es Sā‛weh , 12 miles East-Northeast of Beersheba. The hill is surrounded by a wall of large blocks of stone. Pef , Iii, 409-10, Sh Xxv .