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(Heb. Yeshu'a, éְùׁåּòִ , a contracted form of JOSHUA, i.q. JESUS; Sept. É᾿çóïῦò ), the name of several men, also of a place.
1. (Neh_8:17.) SEE JOSHUA.
2. The head of the ninth sacerdotal “class” as arranged by David (1Ch_24:11, where the name is Anglicized “Jeshuah”). B.C. 1014. He is thought by some to be the Jeshua of Ezr_2:36. But see No. 6.
3. One of the Levites appointed by Hezekiah to distribute the sacred offerings in the sacerdotal cities (2Ch_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 (Ezr_2:6; Neh_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 (Ezr_2:40; Neh_7:43). B.C. ante 536. See Nos. 9 and 10.
6. Jeshua (or JOSHUA as he is called in Hag_1:1; Hag_1:12; Hag_2:2; Hag_2:4; Zec_3:1; Zec_3:3; Zec_3:6; Zec_3:8-9), the “son” of Jozadak or Jozedech, and high priest of the Jews when they returned, under Zerubbabel, from the Babylonian exile (Neh_7:7; Neh_12:1; Neh_12:7; Neh_12:10; Neh_12:26; Ezr_2:2; Ezr_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 (Ezr_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 (Ezr_3:2; Ezr_3:8-9). Jeshua joined with Zerubbabel in opposing the machinations of the Samaritans (Ezr_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 (Ezr_5:2; Hag_1:12). Several of the prophet Haggai's utterances are addressed to Jeshua (Hag_1:1; Hag_2:2), and his name occurs in two of the symbolical prophecies of Zechariah (Zec_3:1-10; Zec_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 Ezr_2:36; Neh_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 (Ezr_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 (Neh_3:19). B.C. ante 446.
9. A Levite, son of Azaniah (Neh_10:9), who actively cooperated in the reformation instituted by Nehemiah (Neh_8:7; Neh_9:4-5; Neh_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 (Neh_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 (Neh_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.