All You Need Is The Name

YHWShA and the Sacred Identity of the Messiah

The Significance of Names in the Biblical Narrative

One of the striking aspects of biblical revelation is the power and significance of names. Throughout Scripture, names are not merely identifiers; they are theological statements, revealing God’s character, His mission, and His relationship with His people. The name of the Messiah, then, is of profound importance—not just in how we pronounce it, but in what it signifies.

For many, the name "Jesus" is the only name by which they have known the Son of God. However, a closer look at the biblical text, the Hebrew language, and the historical transmission of Scripture reveals that His name was originally Yahusha (יהושע)—a name that holds deep theological meaning. Understanding this name is not merely an academic exercise; it is an invitation to recover a richness that has often been lost in translation.

The Divine Name: YHWH as the Foundation of Salvation

The name of the Father, YHWH (יהוה - Yahuah), is central to the biblical witness. It is the name revealed to Moses at the burning bush, the name by which Israel was called to worship, and the name that signifies God’s eternal, self-existent nature (Exodus 3:15). The prophets speak repeatedly of the holiness of this name:

"I am Yahuah, that is My name; I give My glory to no other" (Isaiah 42:8).

From the earliest biblical texts, names containing YHWH were common, demonstrating the covenantal relationship between God and His people. We see this in figures such as EliYahu (Elijah) and YeshaYahu (Isaiah), whose names proclaim aspects of divine truth. It is within this framework that we must understand the name of the Messiah.

Yahusha: The Name That Declares Salvation

The name Yahusha (יהושע) is not arbitrarily assigned; it is a theological declaration. It is formed by combining:

• "Yahuah" (יהוה - H3068) → The sacred name of the Father.

• "Husha" (הושע - H3467) → Meaning “to save” or “to deliver.”

Thus, Yahusha means “Yahuah Saves.” This is not merely a name but a proclamation of divine action—God Himself is at work in bringing redemption.

This is not speculative linguistics; it is confirmed in Numbers 13:16, where Moses renames Hoshea (הושע - H1954) as Yahusha (יהושע - H3091) to reflect the reality that salvation comes through YHWH. This name was carried forward into the Second Temple period, and it is the same name borne by the One we call the Messiah.

The Name Lost in Translation

As the Hebrew Scriptures encountered Greek and Latin audiences, linguistic shifts took place. The name Yahusha underwent changes due to phonetic limitations in these languages:

1. Hebrew: יהושע (YHWSHA → Yahusha)

2. Aramaic: ישוע (Yeshua) – A shortened form that removes "Yah" (יה), obscuring the divine name.

3. Greek: Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) – Greek lacks the "sh" sound, so "sh" became "s."

4. Latin: Iesus – A transliteration used in the Roman Church.

5. English: Jesus – The “J” sound was introduced in the 1600s.

Each of these shifts represents an adaptation to linguistic structures rather than a theological necessity. While "Jesus" has become the common rendering in English, it is not a direct preservation of the original name given to the Messiah.

This, however, is not merely a matter of phonetics. The removal of “Yah” from Yahusha's name severs the immediate connection to YHWH. The name is no longer a declaration that "Yahuah saves," but instead becomes a more generic term. While God has used the name "Jesus" to bring many to faith, a return to the original name restores the full weight of its theological meaning.

The Significance of the Divine Name in Worship and Identity

The importance of the divine name is underscored in the Third Commandment:

"You shall not take the name of Yahuah in vain" (Exodus 20:7).

To take Yahuah’s name “in vain” does not simply mean using it as a curse; it encompasses misrepresenting, altering, or disregarding it. If we are to take the biblical witness seriously, then restoring both the Father’s name (Yahuah) and the Son’s name (Yahusha) is an act of faithfulness.

In fact, we already acknowledge part of this in our worship. Consider the universal word HalleluYah (הַלְלוּיָהּ)—meaning "Praise Yah." This word, found throughout the Psalms, preserves the shortened form of YHWH (Yah - יָהּ). If we recognize "Yah" in our praises, should we not also recognize it in the name of the One through whom salvation comes?

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

For centuries, followers of the Messiah have known Him as Jesus, and through that name, countless lives have been transformed. The point here is not to dismiss or reject what has come before but to seek a fuller understanding of biblical truth. Restoring the name Yahusha is not about linguistic legalism; it is about reclaiming the depth of meaning embedded in the biblical text.

How Do We Explain This to Others?

1. Start with the supremacy of Yahuah (יהוה - YHWH).

2. Show that Yahusha (יהושע) is the Son’s original name and explain its meaning.

3. Demonstrate how the name was changed over time.

4. Highlight how the divine name is preserved in HalleluYah (הַלְלוּיָהּ).

5. Emphasize the Third Commandment’s warning against altering Yahuah’s name.

6. Explain that this is not a rejection of Jesus, but a restoration of biblical truth.

Conclusion: Honoring the Name is an Act of Faithfulness

At the heart of this discussion is obedience—not to human traditions, but to the revelation given in Scripture. When we call upon the name of the Messiah, we are declaring that Yahuah is our salvation. This is not a minor detail; it is a central truth of the Gospel.

"There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

If we are to take this statement seriously, then understanding what that name truly is becomes a matter of theological integrity. In embracing Yahusha, we are not abandoning our faith—we are deepening it. We are stepping into the biblical narrative with greater clarity and greater reverence, knowing that the name we call upon is the very name that proclaims our salvation.

Would love to hear your thoughts—how does this understanding of Yahusha’s name impact your faith journey?