joshua Summary and Overview

Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A.V.), and Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8 (R.V., Joshua). He was born in Egypt, and was probably of the age of Caleb, with whom he is generally associated. He shared in all the events of the Exodus, and held the place of commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against the Amalekites in Rephidim (Ex. 17:8-16). He became Moses' minister or servant, and accompanied him part of the way when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the two tables (Ex. 32:17). He was also one of the twelve who were sent on by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (Num. 13:16, 17), and only he and Caleb gave an encouraging report. Under the direction of God, Moses, before his death, invested Joshua in a public and solemn manner with authority over the people as his successor (Deut. 31:23). The people were encamped at Shittim when he assumed the command (Josh. 1:1); and crossing the Jordan, they encamped at Gilgal, where, having circumcised the people, he kept the Passover, and was visited by the Captain of the Lord's host, who spoke to him encouraging words (1:1-9). Now began the wars of conquest which Joshua carried on for many years, the record of which is in the book which bears his name. Six nations and thirty-one kings were conquered by him (Josh. 11:18-23; 12:24). Having thus subdued the Canaanites, Joshua divided the land among the tribes, Timnath-serah in Mount Ephraim being assigned to himself as his own inheritance. (See SHILOH T0003375; PRIEST T0003001.) His work being done, he died, at the age of one hundred and ten years, twenty-five years after having crossed the Jordan. He was buried in his own city of Timnath-serah (Josh. 24); and "the light of Israel for the time faded away." Joshua has been regarded as a type of Christ (Heb. 4:8) in the following particulars: (1) In the name common to both; (2) Joshua brings the people into the possession of the Promised Land, as Jesus brings his people to the heavenly Canaan; and (3) as Joshua succeeded Moses, so the Gospel succeeds the Law. The character of Joshua is thus well sketched by Edersheim:, "Born a slave in Egypt, he must have been about forty years old at the time of the Exodus. Attached to the person of Moses, he led Israel in the first decisive battle against Amalek (Ex. 17:9, 13), while Moses in the prayer of faith held up to heaven the God-given 'rod.' It was no doubt on that occasion that his name was changed from Oshea, 'help,' to Jehoshua, 'Jehovah is help' (Num. 13:16). And this name is the key to his life and work. Alike in bringing the people into Canaan, in his wars, and in the distribution of the land among the tribes, from the miraculous crossing of Jordan and taking of Jericho to his last address, he was the embodiment of his new name, 'Jehovah is help.' To this outward calling his character also corresponded. It is marked by singleness of purpose, directness, and decision...He sets an object before him, and unswervingly follows it" (Bible Hist., iii. 103)

(saviour, or whose help is Jehovah). His name appears in the various forms of HOSHEA, OSHEA, JEHOSHUA, JESHUA and JESUS. 1. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. #1Ch 7:27| (B.C. 1530-1420.) He was nearly forty years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. He is mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim, when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites. #Ex 17:9| Soon afterward he was one of the twelve chiefs who were sent, #Nu 13:17| to explore the land of Canaan, and one of the two, ch. #Nu 14:6| who gave an encouraging report of their journey. Moses, shortly before his death, was directed, #Nu 27:18| to invest Joshua with authority over the people. God himself gave Joshua a charge by the mouth of the dying lawgiver. #De 31:14,23| Under the direction of God again renewed, #Jos 1:1| Joshua assumed the command of the people at Shittim, sent spies into Jericho, crossed the Jordan, fortified a camp at Gilgal, circumcised the people, kept the passover, and was visited by the Captain of the Lord's host. A miracle made the fall of Jericho more terrible to the Canaanites. In the great battle of Beth-horon the Amorites were signally routed, and the south country was open to the Israelites. Joshua returned to the camp at Gilgal, master of half of Israel. He defeated the Canaanites under Jabin king of Hazor. In six years, six tribes, with thirty-one petty chiefs, were conquered. Joshua, now stricken in years, proceeded to make the division of the conquered land. Timnath-serah in Mount Ephraim was assigned as Joshua's peculiar inheritance. After an interval of rest, Joshua convoked an assembly from all Israel. He delivered two solemn addresses, recorded in #Jos 23:24| He died at the age of 110 years, and was buried in his own city, Timnath-serah. 2. An inhabitant of Beth-shemesh, in whose land was the stone at which the milch-kine stopped when they drew the ark of God with the offerings of the Philistines from Ekron to Beth-shemesh. #1Sa 6:14,18| (B.C. 1124.) 3. A governor of the city who gave his name to a gate of Jerusalem. #2Ki 23:8| (In the reign of Josiah, B.C. 628.) 4. Jeshua the son of Jozadak. #Hag 1:14; 2:12; Zec 3:1| etc.

JOSH'UA (whose help is Jehovah). 1. The successor of Moses, was the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim, and was born in Egypt. He is called the "minister" of Moses, Ex 24:13, from the fact that he assisted him in the exercise of his office. The original name was "Oshea," Num 13:8, but was changed to "Jehoshua," Num 13:16, and he is also called "Hoshea." Deut 32:44. "Joshua" is a contraction of "Jehoshua," and "Jeshua," or "Jesus," is the Greek mode of writing "Joshua," as in Acts 7:45 and Heb 4:8, in which passages the Hebrew word "Joshua " ought to have been retained. Joshua is introduced to us at the time the Israelites were about to contend with the Amalekites at Rephidim. He was appointed by Moses to command the forces of Israel on that occasion. Ex 17:9. He was then about 44 years of age, though considered a young man. Ex 33:11. Afterward he was the spy from his tribe, and he and Caleb were the only ones who told the truth. Num 14:6-9. In prospect of the death of Moses, Joshua was set apart to succeed him as the leader and deliverer of God's chosen people. Num 27:16-18; Deut 31:7-14; Deut 34:9. At the age of 84 he passed over the Jordan at the head of the hosts of Israel, and entered the land of promise. For six years he carried on a successful war against the Canaanites, and after conquering them he divided the land among the Israelites. We see in this long struggle the union of divine help and human exertion. If, on the one hand, Jericho falls without a blow, on the other, Ai is only taken after one repulse and by a stratagem. Josh 8. Again, there is no protection against mistakes. The Gibeonites, by trickery, succeed in saving their lives, albeit they become slaves. The conduct of Joshua in keeping his oath is very noble, but it was a salutary lesson upon the folly of human wisdom unaided by divine light. Josh 9. At the termination of the war 6 nations, with 31 kings, had been prostrated. There remained, however, "very much land to be possessed." The "Promised Land," in its complete extent, was not then, and never was, conquered. After a period of rest, Joshua, feeling the approach of death, gathered the people together on two occasions, and delivered the solemn and touching addresses recorded in Josh 23-24. In so doing he imitated the example of his great predecessor, Moses. The influence of Joshua upon his generation is brought out by the statement: "Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord that he had done for Israel." Josh 24:31. Traditional Tomb of Joshua, near Timnath. (From Photograph Pal. Fund.) Joshua was a worthy successor of Moses. His presence was ever the harbinger of the divine favor. Piety was his characteristic, and earth and heaven repeat with fervor the famous vow of obedience to God: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Josh 24:15. But at last to him, as to us all, came the end, and he died, being 110 years old, "and they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah. which is in Mount Ephraim." Ch. Matt 24:30. 1. The dweller in Beth-sheniesh in whose field stopped the two milch-kine which were drawing the cart containing the ark on its way back from the Philistines. 1 Sam 6:14. 2. A governor of Jerusalem, previous to Josiah's day, who gave his name to one of the gates. 2 Kgs 23:8. 3. A high priest after the Captivity. Hag 1:1, etc. Ezra and Nehemiah call him Jeshua. See Jeshua, .3. Joshua, The Book of. It may be divided into three parts: I. The conquest of the land, chs. 1-12; II. The partition of the land, chs. 13-22; III. The final addresses of Joshua, his death and burial. Chs. 23, 24. It embraces a period variously estimated at from 17 to 30 years. As to the authorship of the book, the name "Joshua" in the title may imply no more than that he is the hero of it. Still, in connection with ch. 24:26, "And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God," the title may be allowed to weigh something more, and we may attribute the book, if not to Joshua, at least to one of his elders who was well acquainted with him. This theory is not inconsistent with a subsequent revision. The two difficulties in the book relate to the sun standing still, ch. Josh 10:13; and to the wholesale slaughter of the Canaanites by the command of God. In regard to the first, the difficulty is manufactured out of -- it does not exist in -- the text. The passage is a poetical quotation from the book of Jasher, which was probably a collection of sacred songs. This will be evident from a revision of the A.V. Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, And thou, moon, upon the valley of Ajalon ! And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed her course, Until the people were avenged of their enemies. And the sun tarried in the midst of the heavens. And hasted not to go down for a whole day. The day was probably one of extraordinary brightness, as well as of extraordinary anxiety, hence it would appear to be prolonged. The second difficulty is only one of the many chapters in the mysterious government of Providence, which permits the ravages of war, famine, and pestilence.

Son of Nun, of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:27). Born about the time when Moses fled to Midian, he endured in youth the slave labour amidst Egyptian brick kilns. Probably he even in Egypt was recognized as an officer among his brethren; for at his first public act, choosing and leading picked men of Israel against the attacking see AMALEKITES at Rephidim(Exodus 17:9) he is introduced abruptly without description as one already well known by the designation Joshua (not Hoshea) given by anticipation. Moses discerned by the Spirit his sterling qualities, solid rather than brilliant. Joshua learned to rule by obeying first; then he ruled for God, not self. God commanded Moses to write in the book (Hebrew, namely, the history of God's dealings with Israel) and rehearse it in Joshua's ears. Joshua inflicted the first decisive blow on the doomed nations; this was an earnest to him of the subsequent conquest of Canaan. Next as Moses' "minister" Joshua accompanied him along with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders up the mountain of God; but Moses went alone into the cloud (Exodus 24:9,13-15). On the descent Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, and with a warrior's thought he said to Moses, "there is a noise of war in the camp"; but it was the noise of singers in the calf worship. When Moses removed the tabernacle of meeting between God and His people from the camp, Joshua, then "a young man"(perhaps an official term for an attendant, Numbers 11:28; Deuteronomy 1:38 "Joshua who standeth before thee"), departed not out of the tabernacle; the Lord's house and communion is the best qualification for those who are afterward to fight the Lord's battles. Sent to spy out Canaan as representing Ephraim; see CALEB represented Judah. They two alone of the 12 brought a good report, and encouraged the people not to fear the inhabitants for the Lord was with Israel (contrast Psalm 106:24; Numbers 13:8,16; Numbers 14). The people would have stoned both, but the glory of Jehovah suddenly appeared in the tabernacle. The ten other spies were smitten with the plague and died. Joshua and Caleb alone of all that generation above 20 years of age survived the 40 years'wilderness wanderings that ensued, because "they wholly followed the Lord" (Numbers 32:11,12). Moses shortly before death, by Jehovah's direction, solemnly invested Joshua with authority as his successor. The Spirit was already in Joshua. Moses by laying on hands added the formal and public sign, and instrumentally gave him thereby more of "the spirit of wisdom." The previous receiving of inward grace does not dispense with the outward sign (Numbers 27:18-23; Acts 9:1-18; 10:44-48). Moses put some of his own honour (dignity and authority) upon Joshua, making him vice leader, that Israel might obey him preparatory to his becoming chief after Moses' death. Joshua was inferior to Moses in standing before Eleazar the high priest to inquire through him and his Urim and Thummim, of Jehovah; Moses enjoyed direct communion with God. When Joshua omitted to inquire in the Gibeonites' case he suffered for it. Moses gave Joshua a charge before the high priest and congregation. Joshua's solemn inauguration to the office to which he had previously been called is in Deuteronomy 31:14-23. God Himself recognizes Joshua in it by summoning him into the tabernacle with Moses, while the divine pillar of cloud manifested Jehovah's presence (compare Numbers 11:25; 12:5). He commands Moses and Joshua to write Moses' song, and teach it to Israel as a witness against them of God's benefits, their duties, and the penalty of their apostasy. Jehovah's "charge" by Moses was: "be strong and of a good courage, for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them, and I will be with thee." Once only did Joshua show an envious spirit, but it was in behalf of his beloved master Moses, not for self. When Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp separately from the rest of the 70 who received of the spirit that was upon Moses, in his presence, Joshua said, "my lord Moses, forbid them;" he replied, "enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets," etc. (Numbers 11:28,29; compare John 3:26; Luke 9:49; Acts 15:8,9; 11:17). Jehovah repeated the charge (Joshua 1:1-9), enjoining"courage" in "doing according to all the law, turning not from it to the right or left," and promising consequent prosperity and Jehovah's continual presence as "his God wheresoever he went." God kept His promise, working mighty miracles in his behalf, and giving Israel all the land and rest round about; no good thing failed which the Lord had spoken (Joshua 21:43-45). The people honoured Joshua as they had Moses. During his lifetime Israel came nearest to realizing the ideal of the people of God (Joshua 11:15; 24:31). Joshua took the command at Shittim, sent spies to Jericho, crossed Jordan, fortified his camp at Gilgal, circumcised the people (for Israel's work was a spiritual one, and men still having the badge of fleshliness were not fit agents for the Lord's work: Joshua 10:40; Judges 5:31), kept the Passover, (after which on their eating the old grain of the land the manna ceased,) and received the assurance of Jericho's fall and God's fighting against Israel's foes from the uncreated Angel of Jehovah (Joshua 5:13-15; 6:2-5), the Captain of Jehovah's host (Matthew 26:53; Exodus 23:20-23; Revelation 19:11-14). The charge "loose thy shoe fromoff thy feet" identifies Him with the Jehovah of Exodus 3:5. Ganneau suggests that Sartabeh the mountain was the spot whereon the Captain of Jehovah's host, Hebrew: Sarsaba , appeared to Joshua, and thence takes its name. It is invisible W. of Jericho; but to one starting from Riha to the E. it appears at all points. The divine Captain was on a height above Joshua, for "he lifted up his eyes" toward Him, and went unto Him. see JERICHO fell by miracle. The repulse at AI, through see ACHAN 'S sin, taught Israel their success depended on their doing God's work of wrath in God's holy way, without greed. Ai then fell. Joshua wrote the law on EBAL, , and read it before the assembled people, half on that side and half. over against see GERIZIM . By neglecting to consult Jehovah Joshua was entrapped into the league with see GIBEON ; but having sworn he honourably kept his oath (Psalm 15:4; Ecclesiastes 5:2; contrast 2 Samuel 21:2-6, etc.). This brought on the attack of the five confederate kings whom he defeated at Makkedah, aided by a divinely sent hailstorm and prolongation of daylight: the condition of the air was probably rendered by God, at Joshua's believing prayer, highly refractive Gilgal, the passage of Jordan. The pillars in the vestibule are surrounded by a fillet of Egyptian style. 2 Kings 23:8. JOSHUA (Other uses of the name Joshua in the Bible) 2. 1 Chronicles 24:11. See as to his descendants JEDAIAH (Ezra 2:36). 3. 2 Chronicles 31:15. 4. Chief of a Levitical house that assisted Zerubbabel, and long subsequently Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 2:40; 3:9; Nehemiah 3:17-19; 8:7; 9:45; 12:8). "Jeshua" is used either for the whole family or its successive heads. Jeshua and Kadmiel were "sons (descendants) of Hodaviah," or Judah (Ezra 3:9; 2:40), but Jeshua's immediate ancestor was Azaniah (Nehemiah 10:9). In Nehemiah 12:24, the text is corrupt probably; "Jeshua and Kadmiel," or "and the sons of Kadmiel" may be conjectured: 5.Nehemiah 7:11; 10:14; Ezra 10:30. 6. A town reinhabited by the people of Judah on the return from Babylon (Nehemiah 11:26). On the line of retreat of the five kings who fought at Gibeon, midway between the lower Bethhoron and Shochoh, near Azekah, is the large village Yeshua, which probably commemorates Joshua's commanding the sun to stand still upon Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, a day without a parallel (Joshua 10:12-14). see JESHUA .