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Bible >Topical > Book Of Joshua

◄ Book Of Joshua►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Old Testament and the first of the historical books in the Christian Bible. It follows the Pentateuch and details the Israelites' conquest and settlement of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, the successor of Moses. The narrative is pivotal in understanding the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs and the establishment of Israel as a nation in Canaan.

Authorship and Date

Traditionally, Joshua is attributed to Joshua himself, with some portions possibly added by later editors. The book is believed to have been composed during the late Bronze Age, around the 13th century BC, although some scholars suggest a later date during the early Iron Age. The text reflects a period when oral traditions were being committed to writing, capturing the transition from nomadic life to settled existence.

Structure and Content

The Book of Joshua is divided into four main sections:

1.The Conquest of Canaan (Chapters 1-12): This section describes the initial entry into the Promised Land and the military campaigns led by Joshua. Key events include the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:14-17), the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:20), and the sun standing still during the battle at Gibeon (Joshua 10:12-14). The narrative emphasizes God's direct intervention and the importance of obedience to His commands.

2.The Division of the Land (Chapters 13-21): After the conquest, the land is apportioned among the twelve tribes of Israel. This section underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land. The cities of refuge and Levitical cities are also established, highlighting the importance of justice and worship in the new society.

3.Joshua's Farewell and Covenant Renewal (Chapters 22-24): In his farewell address, Joshua reminds the Israelites of God's faithfulness and exhorts them to remain faithful to the covenant. The famous declaration, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15), encapsulates the call to exclusive devotion to God.

4.Appendices and Additional Material: The book concludes with additional details about the burial of Joseph's bones and the death of Joshua and Eleazar, the high priest.

Theological Themes

The Book of Joshua is rich in theological themes, including:

·Divine Faithfulness: The narrative demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs by giving Israel the land of Canaan.
·Covenant and Obedience: The book stresses the importance of covenant fidelity and obedience to God's law as prerequisites for success and blessing.
·God's Sovereignty and Power: The miraculous events, such as the fall of Jericho and the sun standing still, illustrate God's sovereign power over creation and history.
·Holiness and Judgment: The conquest of Canaan is portrayed as an act of divine judgment against the Canaanites' iniquity, emphasizing God's holiness and justice.

Historical and Archaeological Context

The historical context of Joshua is set against the backdrop of the Late Bronze Age collapse, a period marked by widespread upheaval in the ancient Near East. Archaeological evidence, such as the destruction layers at Jericho and Hazor, provides some support for the biblical account, though interpretations vary among scholars.

Significance in the Canon

The Book of Joshua serves as a bridge between the Pentateuch and the subsequent historical books. It marks the transition from the wilderness wanderings to the establishment of Israel in the land, setting the stage for the narratives of the Judges, the monarchy, and the prophetic writings. Its themes of faithfulness, obedience, and divine sovereignty continue to resonate throughout the biblical canon.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Book Of Joshua

Named from Joshua the son of Nun, who is the principal character in it. The book may be regarded as consisting of three parts:

The conquest of Canaan; chs. 1-12.
The partition of Canaan; chs. 13-22.
Joshua's farewell; chs. 23,24. Nothing is really known as to the authorship of the book. Joshua himself is generally named as the author by the Jewish writers and the Christian fathers; but no contemporary assertion or sufficient historical proof of the fact exists, and it cannot be maintained without qualification. The last verses, ch. (Joshua 24:29-33) were obviously added at a later time. Some events, such as the capture of Hebron, of Debir, (Joshua 15:13-19) and Judg 1:10-15 Of Leshem, (Joshua 19:47) and Judg 18:7 And the joint occupation of Jerusalem, (Joshua 15:63) and Judg 1:21 Probably did not occur till after Joshua's death. (It was written probably during Joshua's life, or soon after his death (B.C. 1420), and includes his own records, with revision by some other person not long afterward.)

Library

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and theBook ofJoshua.
... THE ANGEL OF THE LORD IN THE PENTATEUCH, AND THEBOOK OFJOSHUA. The New
Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the...

Joshua
...JOSHUA. Thebook ofJoshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses
is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised...

The Story of Israel Crossing Jordan underJoshua is Typical of...
... tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
This is pointed out by what we find in thebook calledJoshua, [4938] "In...

Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land.
... They are those which are mentioned in theBook ofJoshua; "which, however in
after-times they were not begirt with walls, are nevertheless reckoned under the...

Concerning the Circumcision.
... again for the second time God gave the law of Circumcision toJoshua, after the
crossing of Jordan, according as it is written in thebook ofJoshua, the son...

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
...Joshua 1:5.) Eight times in the first chapter of thebook ofJoshua God accredits
Moses with having received and having given the law toJoshua and the people....

Judges
... are reproductions of early and important notices in thebook ofJoshua, though with
significant editorial additions, usually in honour of Judah; [Footnote: Cf....

Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
... 5:9. For when Moses spoke those words, the name of that Gilgal, near Jericho, was
not at all: nor can that which is spoke in thebook ofJoshua concerning the...

Translations from Greek Writers.
... all that had been written by Origen on the Pentateuch: he accomplished this as regards
the first three books, and also as to thebook ofJoshua, at the request...

The New Leaders Commission
... THEBOOK OFJOSHUA THE NEW LEADERS COMMISSION. 'Now after the death of Moses
the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord...