Episode Details

Episode 237 explores the apparent discrepancy between Exodus and Numbers where Moses seems to 'rename' Hosea as Joshua. Lance Smith explains how naming conventions, proleptic usage, and theological meaning resolve the difficulty, showing the change highlights Yahweh's role in salvation. Drawing on Jewish tradition and biblical scholarship, the episode argues the shift is clarifying and theological rather than contradictory.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
2. Zev Farber, “Why Was Joshua Singled Out by Moses? A New Insight into an Old Question,” TheTorah.com (June 10, 2014). https://www.thetorah.com/article/why-was-joshua-singled-out-by-moses
3. “The 12 Spies (Meraglim) in the Bible,” Chabad.org. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3700062/jewish/The-12-Spies-Meraglim-in-the-Bible.htm
4. BibleHub discussion: “Why did Moses change Hoshea’s name to Joshua?” https://biblehub.com/q/Why_did_Moses_rename_Hoshea_Joshua.htm
5. Mesu Andrews, “Moses Changed Joshua’s Name—Why It Matters.” https://mesuandrews.com/moses-changed-joshuas-name-why-it-matters/
6. Elinoar Bareket, “What’s in a Name?: The Bible vs. the Middle Ages,” TheTorah.com (December 12, 2016). https://www.thetorah.com/article/whats-in-a-name-the-bible-vs-the-middle-ages
7. David Frankel, “The Story of the Anonymous Scouts, Modified by the Book of Numbers,” TheTorah.com (June 23, 2022). https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-story-of-the-anonymous-scouts-modified-by-the-book-of-numbers