Joshua (High Priest of the return)

Technical Profile

Name Meaning: Hebrew Yehoshua (“YHWH is salvation”), a theophoric name expressing deliverance
Period/Era: Post-Exilic (early Persian period)
Main References: Ezra 3; Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 3; 6:9–15
Key Connections: Son of Jehozadak; priestly leadership alongside Zerubbabel; prophetic oversight from Haggai and Zechariah

Who was Joshua (High Priest of the return)?

Joshua son of Jehozadak was the high priest among the Judean returnees from Babylon.
He helped reestablish altar worship and priestly service in Jerusalem after the exile.
He is portrayed in prophetic texts as representing the restored priesthood under Persian rule.

Key Events & Achievements

Event 1: Helped build the altar and restart regular offerings soon after the return to Jerusalem (Ezra 3:2–6).
Event 2: Supported the renewed work on the temple in response to Haggai’s prophetic call (Hag. 1:1, 12–14).
Event 3: Appears in Zechariah’s vision as the high priest cleansed and recommissioned for service (Zech. 3:1–5).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Joshua’s ministry highlights the central place of restored priestly service for Israel’s worship life in the post-exilic community.

Key Verse

"And the LORD said to Satan, 'The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?'" — Zechariah 3:2, ESV

Quizzes

Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.

1. Joshua is identified as the son of which person?

2. In Zechariah’s vision, what happens to Joshua in relation to his priestly role?