Book of Joshua
Biblical account of Israel's conquest and settlement of Canaan.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, opening the Deuteronomistic history—the narrative of Israel from the conquest of Canaan through the Babylonian exile. It recounts Israelite military campaigns across central, southern, and northern Canaan, the defeat of their enemies, and the apportioning of land among the Twelve Tribes. The book is structured around two key speeches: God’s initial command to conquer the land, and Joshua’s final warning to faithfully observe the Law (torah) given to Moses.
Scholars generally agree that the Book of Joshua is historically unreliable and should be used cautiously when reconstructing early Israelite history. The earliest sections, possibly chapters 2–11 detailing the conquest, were later incorporated into an early version of the book likely written late in King Josiah’s reign (640–609 BC). The book was not finalized until after Jerusalem fell to the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, and perhaps not until after the return from Babylonian exile in 539 BC.
Many scholars interpret the book as describing what would today be considered genocide. Others argue that labeling the events as “genocide” is anachronistic.
- Biblical book
- Book of Joshua
- Position
- Sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament
- Part of
- Deuteronomistic history
- Main figure
- Joshua
- Key themes
- Conquest of Canaan, division of the land, covenant faithfulness
- Scholarly consensus
- Historically problematic; treat with caution
Lore & Background
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, serving as the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, which traces Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile. Its narrative covers the Israelites’ campaigns across central, southern, and northern Canaan, the destruction of their enemies, and the division of the land among the Twelve Tribes. The book is framed by two major speeches: the first by God commanding the conquest, and the second by Joshua urging faithful observance of the Law revealed to Moses. Scholarly consensus holds that the book is historically problematic for reconstructing early Israelite history. The earliest portions, likely chapters 2–11 concerning the conquest, were incorporated into an early form of the book probably written late in the reign of King Josiah (640–609 BC). The book was not completed until after the fall of Jerusalem to the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, and possibly not until after the return from exile in 539 BC. Many scholars interpret the book as describing what would now be considered genocide, though others argue that term is anachronistic. The narrative begins after Moses’ death with God commissioning Joshua, then details the entry into Canaan, including the spies hidden by Rahab, the miraculous Jordan crossing, and the destruction of Jericho. It continues with campaigns at Ai, southern and northern Canaan, and concludes with the division of the land and Joshua’s farewell.
Reader's Guide
The Book of Joshua is significant as the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, which traces Israel's story from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile. Its structure—framed by divine and human speeches, a conquest narrative, and a land distribution—serves a theological function, showing how the promise of the land was realized. However, the consensus among scholars is that the book is historically problematic and should be treated with caution in reconstructing early Israelite history. Many scholars interpret the book as describing what would now be considered genocide, though others counter that such a label is anachronistic. Its descriptions of conquest and land allotment reflect later theological and geographical concerns rather than precise historical record.
Did You Know?
- The earliest parts of the Book of Joshua are possibly chapters 2–11, the story of the conquest.
- Many scholars interpret the book as describing what would now be considered genocide, though others call this anachronistic.
- The list of defeated kings in Joshua 12 includes 31 kings on the west of the Jordan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Book of Joshua?
Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, and it serves as the opening volume of the Deuteronomistic history. It narrates the Israelites' military campaigns across Canaan and the subsequent apportionment of the land to the Twelve Tribes.
What is Book of Joshua's main plot or role?
The book follows Joshua as he leads a series of conquests through central, southern, and northern Canaan, ending with the division of the territory among the tribes. It is framed by two set-piece speeches: God's initial command to take the land and Joshua's final warning to remain faithful to the Mosaic Law.
Who is the main character in Book of Joshua?
Joshua, the successor to Moses, is the central figure who directs the military campaigns and oversees the settlement of Canaan. His leadership is presented as a continuation of the covenant God established with Israel through Moses.
What are Book of Joshua's key themes?
The primary themes are the conquest of Canaan, the division of the land among the Twelve Tribes, and covenant faithfulness to the torah revealed to Moses. The text stresses that faithful observance of God's law is the condition for retaining the promised land.
Where does Book of Joshua fit in the broader Bible, and how should readers approach it?
It sits as the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament, opening the Deuteronomistic narrative that runs from the conquest of Canaan all the way to the Babylonian exile. Modern scholarship regards its historical claims as problematic, so it is best read with caution alongside other ancient Near Eastern sources.
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