Joshua

History · Old Testament · Traditionally Joshua · Traditionally c. 1400-1200 BCE; modern scholars propose a 7th to 6th century BCE composition

The Book of Joshua details the Israelites' entry into and conquest of the land of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, Moses' successor. It recounts the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, key military campaigns, the distribution of tribal territories, and concludes with a formal covenant renewal ceremony.

24 chapters

• 1Joshua 1God commissions Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan, commanding him to be strong, courageous, and obedient to the law.
• 2Joshua 2Joshua sends two spies to Jericho, where Rahab hides them in exchange for an oath to spare her family.
• 3Joshua 3The priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the Jordan River, miraculously parting the waters for Israel to cross.
• 4Joshua 4Israel sets up twelve memorial stones from the dry Jordan riverbed to commemorate God miraculously parting the waters for their crossing.
• 5Joshua 5Israel undergoes circumcision, celebrates Passover, eats the land's produce as manna ceases, and Joshua encounters the commander of God's army.
• 6Joshua 6Israel marches around Jericho for seven days; the walls collapse at their shout, and they destroy the city, sparing only Rahab.
• 7Joshua 7After Israel fails to conquer Ai due to Achan's theft of devoted things, Achan is identified and executed by stoning.
• 8Joshua 8Joshua conquers Ai using an ambush strategy, executes its king, and builds an altar on Mount Ebal to read the Law.
• 9Joshua 9The Gibeonites deceive Israel into a peace covenant; Joshua spares their lives but makes them servants for the tabernacle.
• 10Joshua 10Joshua defeats five southern kings after the sun stands still, executing them and conquering numerous cities throughout the region.
• 11Joshua 11Joshua defeats a northern Canaanite coalition led by Jabin of Hazor, conquering their lands and bringing rest from war.
• 12Joshua 12This chapter lists the thirty-one kings defeated by Moses east of the Jordan and by Joshua west of the river.
• 13Joshua 13God instructs aging Joshua to divide the land, detailing eastern territories assigned by Moses and excluding the tribe of Levi.
• 14Joshua 14Joshua and Eleazar begin western land division, and Caleb receives Hebron as his inheritance for his lifelong faithfulness to God.
• 15Joshua 15The inheritance of Judah is detailed, Caleb conquers his territory, and the text notes Judah's inability to drive out the Jebusites.
• 16Joshua 16The descendants of Joseph receive their allotment, detailing the specific borders of the territory given to the tribe of Ephraim.
• 17Joshua 17The tribe of Manasseh receives its territory, including Zelophehad's daughters, and Joshua tells the Joseph tribes to clear forested land.
• 18Joshua 18Israel assembles at Shiloh to survey the remaining territory, and the tribe of Benjamin receives its specific land allotment by lot.
• 19Joshua 19The final six tribes receive their land allotments, and Israel grants Joshua his requested city of Timnath-serah.
• 20Joshua 20God commands Israel to establish six cities of refuge to protect individuals who commit accidental manslaughter from the avenger of blood.
• 21Joshua 21Israel assigns forty-eight cities with pasture lands to the Levites, completing the distribution of the promised land.
• 22Joshua 22The eastern tribes return home and build a memorial altar, which averts a war once they explain its peaceful purpose.
• 23Joshua 23An aging Joshua delivers a farewell address, urging Israel's leaders to obey God's law and avoid idolatry with remaining nations.
• 24Joshua 24Joshua convenes a covenant renewal at Shechem, recounts Israel's history, and dies, followed by the burials of Joseph and Eleazar.