ΙΗΣΟΥΣ
The name Jesus (Ἰησοῦς), the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew «Yehoshua» ("Yahweh saves"), stands as the central figure of Christian faith. Its lexarithmos (888) has been imbued with profound symbolic meaning, often associated with perfection, resurrection, and divine completeness.
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According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, Ἰησοῦς is the Greek form of the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) or יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua), meaning “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” In the Old Testament, this name refers to Joshua, son of Nun, the successor of Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land (e.g., Acts 7:45, Hebrews 4:8).
In the New Testament, Ἰησοῦς is the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Son of God, who came to save the world from its sins. The significance of the name is highlighted by the angel to Joseph: “you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). This name is not merely an identity but a declaration of His mission and nature.
Its theological weight is immense, as the name Ἰησοῦς is inextricably linked with the concepts of salvation, redemption, and divine grace. It is the name “above every name” (Phil. 2:9), through which the salvation of humanity is achieved, making it the central point of reference for Christian faith and worship. Its use in the early Church was universal, as a confession of faith and an invocation.
Etymology
Since Ἰησοῦς is a transliteration of a Hebrew name, it does not have linguistically cognate words sharing a common Greek root. However, in Greek theological literature, it is conceptually linked with terms describing the nature and work of the person bearing this name. The “cognate” words that follow in the “Word Family” section are in fact theological terms and epithets describing Jesus, rather than words derived from the same Greek root.
Main Meanings
- The name of Joshua, son of Nun — In the Old Testament and the Greek Septuagint translation, the name of Moses' successor, the leader who guided the Israelites into the Promised Land.
- The name of Jesus of Nazareth — The personal name of the central figure of Christian faith, the Son of God, the Christ, as recorded in the Gospels and the New Testament.
- Savior, Redeemer — Conceptually, the name carries the meaning of “he who saves,” reflecting the mission of Jesus Christ to offer salvation to humanity.
- Divine presence and authority — In Christian theology, the name Ἰησοῦς signifies the divine nature and absolute authority of Christ, as the name “above every name.”
- Object of faith and worship — The name Ἰησοῦς is the focal point of Christian faith, prayer, and worship, through which believers approach God.
- Source of healing and miracles — In the New Testament narratives, the name Ἰησοῦς is associated with the power to perform healings, exorcisms, and other miracles.
Word Family
Hebrew root יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) — "Yahweh saves"
The word Ἰησοῦς is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) or יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua), meaning “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” As such, it does not have an inherent Greek root with which it shares linguistically cognate words. The “word family” presented here consists of theological terms and epithets closely associated with the person of Jesus Christ and His work, deriving their meaning from the Greek language rather than from a common root with the name Ἰησοῦς. Each term illuminates a different aspect of His identity or mission.
Philosophical Journey
The journey of the name Ἰησοῦς from its Hebrew origin to its universal recognition as the name of Christ is a story of profound theological development.
In Ancient Texts
Three of the most significant New Testament passages referring to the name Ἰησοῦς:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΙΗΣΟΥΣ is 888, from the sum of its letter values:
888 decomposes into 800 (hundreds) + 80 (tens) + 8 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΙΗΣΟΥΣ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 888 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 6 | 8+8+8 = 24 → 2+4 = 6. The number 6 is often associated with human creation and imperfection, but also with completion. In Greek numerology, 888 is a number of perfection and resurrection, as 8 symbolizes new beginnings and the transcendence of the 7-day cycle. |
| Letter Count | 6 | 6 letters — A hexad, the number of creation and human nature, but also of harmony. |
| Cumulative | 8/80/800 | Units 8 · Tens 80 · Hundreds 800 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | I-H-Σ-O-Y-Σ | Iesous Hemōn Sōtēr Ho Huios Sou (Jesus Our Savior, Your Son) |
| Grammatical Groups | 3V · 3C · 0A | 3 vowels (I, H, O, Y) and 3 consonants (S) — the balance of vowels and consonants suggests harmony and completeness. |
| Palindromes | Yes (numeric) | Number reads same reversed |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Saturn ♄ / Aries ♈ | 888 mod 7 = 6 · 888 mod 12 = 0 |
Isopsephic Words (888)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (888) as Ἰησοῦς, revealing interesting conceptual connections:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 74 words with lexarithmos 888. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
- Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Strong, J. — Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.
- Metzger, B. M., Ehrman, B. D. — The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration, 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Kittel, G., Friedrich, G. (eds.) — Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-1976.
- Septuagint — Vetus Testamentum Graecum Auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1979-.