Fausset's Bible Dictionary

2. 2Ch_31:15.

3. Son of Jehozadak who went into captivity (1Ch_6:15). First high priest of the third series, namely, that which succeeded the Babylonian captivity; ancestor of the 14 high priests down to Joshua (or Jason) and Onias (or Menelaus). Zerubbabel's contemporary. Came from Babylon in Cyrus' first year; took part in rebuilding the temple; first of all restored the altar and daily sacrifice, then in the second month of the second year of the return from Babylon laid the foundation of the temple (Ezra 3). Fourteen years' interruption to the work was caused by the Samaritans' influence upon Artaxerxes (pseudo-Smerdis). It was resumed in Darius Hystaspis' year by Jeshua and Zerubbabel, with Haggai's (Hag_1:1; Hag_1:12; Hag_1:14; Hag_2:1-9) and Zechariah's cooperation (Zechariah 1-8), and completed in his sixth year, on the 3rd of the month Adar.

At the dedication a sin-offering was offered "for all Israel, 12 he-goats, according to the number of the tribes" (Ezr_6:15-22), and they kept the Passover "seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of the God of Israel." Jeshua represents Jerusalem (and so the church) before Jehovah; accused by Satan, but justified by Jehovah, of His own will and choice, through Messiah his Advocate, who strips off his rags (compare Isa_64:6), and "clothes him with change of raiment (the filthy garments were worn by those on trial; the white robe or caftan is put on an Eastern minister of state when acquitted; compare Isa_61:10), and sets a fair (symbolizing purity) mitre (the priestly turban, the pledge of the reestablished priesthood) upon his head," in answer to Zechariah's prayer Zec_3:1-9). So the wedding garment, Christ's righteousness, imputed for justification, imparted for sanctification (Mat_22:11).

The restoration of the glory of the priesthood was first at the completion of the second temple, fully in Jesus or Joshua, who represents Israel, "the kingdom of priests" (Exo_19:6). Once clad in our vileness, yet He was the chosen of the Father (Isa_42:1; Isa_44:1; Isa_49:1-3). Ceasing from connection with sin by death, in garments of glory He has entered the heavenly holy place as our High-priest (Heb_8:1; Heb_9:24). So now (1Pe_2:5) the "holy priesthood" is not restricted to one order; all Christians are priests unto God, arrayed in "the best robe" (Luk_15:22; Rev_19:8). So the literal Israel hereafter (Isa_3:6; Isa_66:21). They of the captivity brought silver and gold, which were made into crowns and set upon Jeshua's head by Jehovah's command; symbolizing the combination of kingship and priesthood in Messiah, unknown to the Levitical priesthood, realized in Him of whom Melehizedek was type (Zec_6:9-13; Psa_110:1-4; Hebrew 5-6).

"The counsel of peace shall be between both" the kingship and the priesthood. As priest He expiates sin, as king He extirpates it. It is the "counsel" of infinite wisdom (Isa_9:6; Eph_1:8-11; Heb_6:17) to reconcile God's justice as a king with His love as father and priest. Only by being pardoned by His priestly atonement and ruled by His kingly laws we find "peace;" (Luk_2:14; Act_10:36; Eph_2:13-17).

4. Neh_8:17.

5. Chief of a Levitical house that assisted Zerubbabel, and long subsequently Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezr_2:40; Ezr_3:9; Neh_3:17-19; Neh_8:7; Neh_9:45; Neh_12:8). "Jeshua" is used either for the whole family or its successive heads. Jeshua and Kadmiel were "sons (descendants) of Hodaviah," or Judah (Ezr_3:9; Ezr_2:40), but Jeshua's immediate ancestor was Azaniah (Neh_10:9). In Neh_12:24, the text is corrupt probably; "Jeshua and Kadmiel," or "and the sons of Kadmiel" may be conjectured:

6. Neh_7:11; Neh_10:14; Ezr_10:30.

7. A town reinhabited by the people of Judah on the return from Babylon (Neh_11:26). On the line of retreat of the five kings who fought at Gibeon, midway between the lower Bethhoron and Shochoh, near Azekah, is the large village Yeshua, which probably commemorates Joshua's commanding the sun to stand still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, a day without a parallel (Jos_10:12-14).

Taken from: Fausset's Bible Dictionary by Andrew Robert Fausset (1821-1910)