Book of Joshua

Lore & Background

The Book of Joshua begins after the death of Moses, with God commissioning Joshua to take possession of the Promised Land and warning him to keep faith with the Mosaic covenant. The narrative describes the Israelites' entry into Canaan, including the reconnaissance of Jericho by two spies who are hidden by Rahab, a Canaanite woman, and the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. The conquest proceeds with the destruction of Jericho, followed by campaigns at Ai, in southern Canaan, and in northern Canaan, culminating in a summary of lands conquered and a list of defeated kings.

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.