Expert: Gaddy Yaari - 4/12/2009

Question
My name is Richard Davidson in American English. I need you to confirm the information I have about my name thus far.

I'm been told my first name translates to Hebrew as "Joshua."  Is that true?

I have also been that Joshua and Jesus are the same name.  Is that true?

And I understand that my last name translated to Hebrew as Son of David.  Is that true?

could you please send to my E-mail address:  the answers to the questions.  And a Hebrew pronouncation key for these 3 names.  Also please send me the spelling of these 3 names as pronounced in Hebrew but spelled with English letters.

Thanks in advance,
Richard J Davidson

Answer
I'm been told my first name translates to Hebrew as "Joshua."  Is that true?  No. Richard means (in old German) 'powerful leader', while Joshua means 'God is my Savior'.

I have also been that Joshua and Jesus are the same name.  Is that true?

Yes. Joshua in Hebrew is Yehoshua. Two thousand years ago it was common practice to shorten it to Yeshua, which is the Hebrew name for Jesus.

And I understand that my last name translated to Hebrew as Son of David.  Is that true?  Yes. In Hebrew it is Ben-David.

Gaddy