Joshua
maleReturnMeaning: “The LORD is salvation”
The high priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and helped rebuild the temple; in Zechariah’s vision he is cleansed and crowned as a sign of the coming Branch.
Biography
Joshua (called Jeshua in Ezra–Nehemiah), son of Josedech, was the first high priest of the restored community after the Babylonian exile. With the governor Zerubbabel, he led the returned exiles in rebuilding the altar and the temple (Ezra 3:2; Haggai 1:1).
Cleansed and crowned in vision
In one of Zechariah's visions, Joshua the high priest stood before the angel of the LORD in filthy garments while Satan accused him. The LORD rebuked Satan, removed his filthy clothes, and clothed him in clean garments — a picture of God removing the sin of His people (Zechariah 3:1–4).
A sign of the Branch
Crowns were set on Joshua's head, and he was named as a sign pointing forward to "the man whose name is The BRANCH... he shall build the temple of the LORD" and be "a priest upon his throne" (Zechariah 6:11–13) — a foreshadowing of the Messiah who would be both King and Priest.
Life Timeline
Helps rebuild the altar and temple after the return
Cleansed and crowned in Zechariah’s vision as a sign of the Branch
On the Bible timeline
Joshua belongs to the The Babylonian Exile era (c. 586 – 538 BC).
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
- 538 BCThe Return from Exile
Themes & lessons from Joshua
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Joshua appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
11 verses in 2 booksHaggai5 verses
Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, by: Heb. by the hand of governor: or, captain
Haggai 1:12
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
Haggai 1:14
And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
Haggai 2:2
Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
Haggai 2:4
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
Zechariah6 verses
Zechariah 3:1
And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. Satan: that is, an adversary to: Heb. to be his adversary
Zechariah 3:3
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zechariah 3:6
And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
Zechariah 3:8
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. wondered: Heb. of wonder, or, sign
Zechariah 3:9
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
Zechariah 6:11
Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
Frequently asked about Joshua
Who was Joshua in the Bible?
The high priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel and helped rebuild the temple; in Zechariah’s vision he is cleansed and crowned as a sign of the coming Branch.
What does the name Joshua mean?
The name Joshua means “The LORD is salvation”.
What did Joshua do in the Bible?
Joshua served as high priest, of the tribe of Levi.
Where does Joshua appear in the Bible?
Joshua is mentioned 11 times across 2 books: Haggai, Zechariah.
What can we learn from Joshua?
The story of Joshua touches on themes of shealtiel, zerubbabel, dress, obedience to god — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Joshua's life.
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