The name Joshua tree is believed to have been given by early Mormon settlers who thought that the plant’s outstretched, spiny branches resembled the biblical Joshua raising his sword to claim victory for the Israelites. Joshua 8:18 states, “Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Stretch out the sword that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.’ And Joshua stretched out the sword that was in his hand toward the city.”
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