Joshua’s original name was Hoshea, which means deliverance/salvation
(Numbers 13:8, Deuteronomy 32:44). It was later changed by Moses to Joshua
(Numbers 13:16), which means: The Lord is salvation. Joshua’s name is thus a constant reminder to him and the people of Israel that God is the one who will deliver them, a fact repeatedly mentioned throughout the book.1
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,