Joshua is book 6 of the 39 books of the Old Testament and belongs to the History section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- Old Testament · History
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Author (traditional)
- Joshua for most of the book (24:26 says he wrote words in the Book of the Law), with later additions such as his death.
- Other views on authorship
- Most scholars see Joshua as part of a larger history running from Deuteronomy to Kings, edited in the late monarchy or exile.
- Date (traditional)
- About 1400–1370 BC, soon after the events (on an early date for the Exodus).
- Other views on dating
- Final form commonly dated to the 7th or 6th century BC, using older sources.
- Chapters
- 24
- Verses
- 658
- Reading time
- About 81 minutes (16,228 words in the BSB)
What is Joshua about?
Moses is dead, and the book opens with God speaking to Joshua: 'Be strong and courageous.' The people cross the Jordan on dry ground at flood season, set up twelve memorial stones, renew circumcision and celebrate Passover in the land. Rahab, a Canaanite woman in Jericho, hides Israel's spies and is spared when the city's walls fall after Israel marches around it for seven days.
The conquest is not smooth. At Ai, Israel is defeated because Achan secretly kept plunder from Jericho. Israel is tricked into a treaty with the Gibeonites. Then come southern and northern campaigns that break the power of the Canaanite kings. The book is frank that much land still remains to be taken, and that some peoples were never driven out.
The second half divides the land among the tribes, describes Caleb's inheritance, sets up cities of refuge and gives towns to the Levites. It ends with two farewell speeches. Joshua reminds the people of everything God has done and challenges them to choose whom they will serve. They promise to serve the LORD, and Joshua is buried in his inheritance.
Outline of Joshua
| ChaptersCh. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | Entering the land Joshua is commissioned, Rahab hides the spies, Israel crosses the Jordan and renews the covenant at Gilgal. |
| 6–8 | Jericho and Ai Jericho falls, Achan's sin brings defeat, and Ai is taken. |
| 9–12 | Campaigns south and north The Gibeonite treaty, the long day at Gibeon, victories over the kings of Canaan. |
| 13–21 | Dividing the land Tribal allotments, Caleb's portion, cities of refuge and Levitical towns. |
| 22–24 | Farewell and covenant The eastern tribes' altar, Joshua's last words and the covenant renewal at Shechem. |
Key themes
- God keeps his promises. The land promised to Abraham is finally given. The book sums it up: not one of God's good promises failed (21:45).
- Courage rooted in God's presence. Joshua is told again and again to be strong and courageous, not because of his strength but because God is with him. See Joshua 1:9.
- Obedience and faithfulness. Victory follows trust and obedience; Achan's hidden sin shows how one act of unfaithfulness affects the whole community.
- Grace for outsiders. Rahab the Canaanite and the Gibeonites are spared. Rahab later appears in Jesus' family line (Matthew 1:5).
- Holy war and hard questions. The conquest accounts are troubling to many readers. Traditions explain them differently — as judgment on long-standing wickedness, as unique to that moment, or as stylized ancient war language — but all read them within God's larger purpose of blessing the nations.
Key people and places
- Joshua — Moses' successor who leads Israel into Canaan.
- Rahab — Jericho woman who shelters the spies and joins Israel.
- Achan — Takes forbidden plunder from Jericho, causing defeat at Ai.
- Caleb — Faithful spy who receives Hebron at age 85.
- Eleazar — High priest who helps divide the land.
Places: Jordan River, Gilgal, Jericho, Ai, Gibeon, Hebron, Shiloh, Shechem.
Key verses in Joshua
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.”
“Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.””
“Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.”
“But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!””
How Joshua fits the big story
Joshua fulfills the promise of land made to Abraham in Genesis and prepared for in Deuteronomy. It is the first of the historical books, followed by Judges, which shows what happens when the next generations forget God. The name Joshua means 'the LORD saves'; its Greek form is Jesus, and Christians often see Joshua as a picture of the greater leader who brings his people into their rest (Hebrews 4). The land itself becomes a symbol of God's gift and of the lasting home the Bible ends with.
How to read Joshua
At 2 chapters a day you can read Joshua in 12 days. Read chapters 1–11 as one story and skim the boundary lists in 13–21. Chapters 1 and 23–24 frame the whole book: God's promise at the start, Israel's choice at the end.