From the Hebrew name הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hoshe'a) meaning "salvation". In the Old Testament at Numbers 13:16, Moses gives the spy Hoshea the new name Yehoshu'a (see Joshua), which has a related origin. This name was also borne by an 8th-century BC king of Israel, who was the last ruler of that state before it was conquered by Assyria.