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Meaning & History
From the Hebrew name הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hosheaʿ) meaning "salvation", from the root יָשַׁע (yashaʿ) meaning "to save". In the Old Testament at Numbers 13:16, Moses gives the spy Hoshea the new name Yehoshuaʿ (see Joshua), which has a related origin. This name was also borne by an 8th-century BC king of Israel, who was the last ruler of that state before it was conquered by Assyria.