From the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshu'a) meaning  YAHWEH is salvation. Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan by Moses, as told in the Old Testament.After Moses died Joshua succeeded him as leader of the Israelites. As an English name, Joshua has been in use since the Protestant Reformation.oshua was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan by Moses, as told in the Old Testament. After Moses died Joshua succeeded him as leader of the Israelites. As an English name, Joshua has been in use since the Protestant Reformation.