JOSHUA, BOOK OF

This Bible book provides a vital link in the history of the Israelites by showing how God’s promises to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were fulfilled. Probably covering a period of more than twenty years (1473-c. 1450 B.C.E.), it tells of the conquest of Canaan, followed by the distribution of the land to the Israelites, and concludes with Joshua’s discourses encouraging faithfulness to Jehovah.

The fact that the book contains ancient names for cities (Josh. 14:15; 15:15) and detailed instructions and then relates how these were carried out indicates that it is a contemporary record. (For examples see Joshua 1:11-18; 2:14-22; 3:2–4:24; 6:22, 23.) In fact, the writer identifies himself as living at the same time as Rahab of Jericho and therefore as an eyewitness.—Josh. 6:25.

AUTHENTICITY

In the estimation of some, however, the book of Joshua is not true history. This view is primarily based on the assumption that, since the miracles mentioned in the book are foreign to recent human experience, they could not have happened. It therefore calls into question God’s ability to perform miracles, if not also his existence, as well as the writer’s integrity. For the writer to have embellished his account with fiction while presenting himself as an eyewitness would have made him guilty of deliberate deceit. Surely it is illogical to conclude that a book that honors God as the Fulfiller of his word (Josh. 21:43-45), encourages faithfulness to him (Josh. 23:6-16; 24:14, 15, 19, 20, 23) and openly acknowledges Israel’s failures was produced by a false witness.—Josh. 7:1-5; 18:3.

No one can deny that the Israelite nation came into existence and occupied the land described in the book of Joshua. Likewise, there is no valid basis for challenging the truthfulness of that book’s account concerning the way in which the Israelites gained possession of Canaan. Neither the psalmists (Ps. 44:1-3; 78:54, 55; 105:42-45; 135:10-12; 136:17-22), Nehemiah (9:22-25), the first Christian martyr Stephen (Acts 7:45), the disciple James (Jas. 2:25) nor the learned apostle Paul (Acts 13:19; Heb. 4:8; 11:30, 31) doubted its authenticity. And 1 Kings 16:34 records the fulfillment of Joshua’s prophetic curse uttered about five hundred years earlier at the time of Jericho’s destruction.—Josh. 6:26.

WRITER

Some scholars, although acknowledging the book to have been written in or near the time of Joshua, reject the traditional Jewish view that Joshua himself wrote it. Their main objection is that some of the events recorded in the book of Joshua also appear in the book of Judges, which commences with the words, “And after the death of Joshua.” (Judg. 1:1) Nevertheless, this opening statement is not necessarily a time indicator for all the events found in the Judges account. The book is not arranged in strict chronological order, for it mentions an event that definitely is placed before Joshua’s death. (Judg. 2:6-9) Therefore, some things, such as the capture of Hebron by Caleb (Josh. 15:13, 14; Judg. 1:9, 10), Debir by Othniel (Josh. 15:15-19; Judg. 1:11-15) and Leshem or Laish (Dan) by the Danites (Josh. 19:47, 48; Judg. 18:27-29) could likewise have taken place before Joshua’s death. Even the action of the Danites in setting up an idolatrous image at Laish could reasonably fit Joshua’s time. (Judg. 18:30, 31) In his concluding exhortation, Joshua told the Israelites: “Remove the gods that your forefathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt, and serve Jehovah.” (Josh. 24:14) Had idolatry not existed, this statement would have had little meaning.

Logically, then, with the exception of the concluding portion that reports his death, the book may be attributed to Joshua. As Moses had recorded the happenings of his lifetime, so it would have been fitting for Joshua to do likewise. The book itself reports: “Then Joshua wrote these words in the book of God’s law.”—Josh. 24:26.

NOT CONTRADICTORY

Some have felt that the book is contradictory in making it appear that the land was completely subdued by Joshua while at the same time reporting that much of it remained to be taken. (Compare Joshua 11:16, 17, 23; 13:1.) But such seeming discrepancies are easily resolved when one bears in mind that there were two distinct aspects in the conquest. First, national warfare under Joshua’s leadership broke the power of the Canaanites. Next, individual and tribal action was required to take full possession of the land. (Josh. 17:14-18; 18:3) Probably while Israel was warring elsewhere, the Canaanites reestablished themselves in cities such as Debir and Hebron so that these had to be retaken by individual or tribal effort.—Compare Joshua 11:21-23 with Joshua 14:6, 12; 15:13-17.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I. Joshua commissioned by Jehovah to lead Israelites across Jordan; also assured of success and admonished to be courageous and obey Law (1:1-9)

A. Commands officers to instruct Israelites to prepare for crossing Jordan (1:10, 11)

B. Reminds Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh about obligation to share in conquest; they agree to cooperate (1:12-18)

C. Sends two spies to investigate Jericho and vicinity (2:1)

1. Spies lodge with Rahab, a prostitute of Jericho (2:1)

a. Because of faith in Jehovah, Rahab hides spies and then misdirects men sent by king of Jericho to look for them; requests that she and entire family be preserved alive for having exercised loving-kindness (2:2-13)

b. If not informed on by her, spies assure Rahab of preservation and instruct her to tie cord of scarlet thread in window and gather family into house to be spared (2:14, 16-21)

2. Spies descend by means of rope from window of Rahab’s house and, after remaining three days in mountainous region, return with good report to Joshua (2:15, 21-24)

D. Israelites, under Joshua, leave encampment at Shittim, spend night near Jordan and cross river (3:1-17)

1. As divinely instructed, priests with Ark lead march (3:8, 11, 14)

2. At instant feet of priests carrying Ark dipped into edge of Jordan’s waters, river miraculously dammed up, fulfilling Jehovah’s earlier words to Joshua and assuring that Jehovah was with Joshua and that Israel would defeat inhabitants of land (3:7, 9-16)

3. Israelites cross while priests remain standing with Ark in middle of Jordan (3:17)

4. According to Joshua’s command, twelve stones picked up from middle of Jordan to be deposited at first Israelite lodging place W of Jordan; twelve stones also set up in middle of Jordan where priests stood (4:1-10)

5. Priests with Ark cross last and Jordan again overflows banks (4:11-19)

6. Twelve stones taken from bed of Jordan set up at Gilgal as memorial (4:20-24)

7. Israel’s crossing Jordan by means of miracle throws fear into inhabitants of land (5:1)

II. Circumcision of Israelite males at Gilgal followed by observance of Passover; manna ceases as Israelites begin eating fruitage of land (5:2-12)

III. Angelic prince appears to Joshua near Jericho and outlines procedure for taking city (5:13–6:5)

IV. Jericho devoted to destruction after Jehovah causes walls to fall; Rahab and household spared (6:6-25, 27)

A. Joshua pronounces prophetic curse on Jericho’s future rebuilder (6:26)

B. Achan wrongly appropriates to himself things devoted to destruction (7:1)

V. Israelites defeated by men of Ai because Jehovah withholds aid due to Achan’s sin; Achan and his household stoned and then burned (7:2-26)

VI. With Jehovah’s blessing, second effort against Ai successful (8:1-29)

A. Joshua employs ambush against city (8:2-21)

B. Inhabitants devoted to destruction, their domestic animals taken as spoil, city reduced to desolate mound and its king hanged on stake until evening (8:22-29)

VII. Joshua builds altar at Mount Ebal and reads blessings and maledictions to Israelites, as half of congregation stands in front of Mount Gerizim and the other half in front of Mount Ebal (8:30-35)

VIII. While other peoples of Canaan prepare for war against Israel, Gibeonites shrewdly get Joshua to conclude covenant of peace (9:1-15, 24)

A. Covenant honored, although Gibeonites had misrepresented facts to save their lives; Gibeonites constituted slaves (9:16-27)

B. Five kings ally themselves against Gibeonites for having made peace with Israel (10:1-5)

1. Israel’s army marches all night from Gilgal to defend Gibeonites in response to their request for aid (10:6-9)

2. Enemy defeated as Jehovah fights for Israel (10:10-27)

C. Joshua follows up victory by taking cities of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron and Debir respectively and capturing mountainous region, Negeb and Shephelah in southern Canaan (10:28-43)

IX. A coalition of northern Canaanite kings, headed by Jabin of Hazor, assemble forces at waters of Merom to fight against Israel (11:1-5)

A. Jehovah gives Israel victory; as divinely directed, Joshua hamstrings horses and burns chariots of enemy (11:6-9)

B. Hazor captured and burned (11:10-15)

X. Major conquests completed; listing of thirty-one defeated kings (11:16–12:24)

XI. Land, including unsubjugated sections, apportioned to Israelites as an inheritance (13:1-7)

A. Gadites, Reubenites and half tribe of Manasseh granted possession of inheritances E of Jordan earlier received from Moses; Levites received no inheritance (13:8-33)

B. Joshua gives Hebron to Judean Caleb, this being a special inheritance promised him by Jehovah through Moses (14:6-15)

C. Other inheritances W of Jordan assigned by lot (14:1-5)

1. Judah’s inheritance (15:1-63)

2. Territory assigned to Ephraim and Manasseh (16:1–17:18)

a. Inheritance of Ephraimites, including enclave cities in Manasseh (16:5-10)

b. Manassites, including daughters of Manassite Zelophehad, receive inheritance; ten allotments of land for Manassites W of Jordan and enclave cities in Issachar and Asher (17:1-13)

c. Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh consider inheritances too small; told by Joshua to cut down forests and drive out Canaanites (17:14-18)

D. Tabernacle located at Shiloh and distribution of land by lot continues from there (18:1-10)

1. Tribes of Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan have inheritances apportioned to them by lot; Joshua receives Timnath-serah as special inheritance (18:11–19:51)

2. Six cities of refuge set aside for unintentional manslayers (20:1-9)

3. Assignment of forty-eight Levite cities, thirteen of these being priestly cities (21:1-42)

E. With assignments of territory made, Jehovah’s promises to Israel fulfilled (21:43-45)

XII. Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh return to inheritance E of Jordan after being admonished and blessed by Joshua (22:1-9)

A. Build an altar, causing tribes W of Jordan to plan military action against them for unfaithfulness (22:10-12)

B. Issue over altar settled peaceably when tribes E of Jordan reveal purpose of altar to be a memorial of faithfulness to Jehovah (22:13-34)

XIII. Joshua assembles Israel’s older men, heads, judges and officers, admonishing them to carry out Jehovah’s word (23:1-16)

XIV. Joshua convenes all Israel at Shechem, reviews with them God’s dealings and encourages them to serve Jehovah; Israelites renew covenant to do God’s will (24:1-28)

XV. Death of Joshua, burial of Joseph’s bones at Shechem and death of Eleazar the high priest (24:29-33)

See the book “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” pp. 42-46.