Joshua

Joshua leads Israel across the Jordan into Canaan. After the fall of Jericho and years of battles, the land is divided among the tribes, and Joshua calls the people to serve the Lord alone.

Author

Traditionally Joshua, with later additions

Written

Events about 1400 to 1350 BC

Chapters

1. 1Joshua 1After Moses’ death, God commissions Joshua to lead Israel into the land: “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you.”
2. 2Joshua 2Joshua sends two spies to Jericho. Rahab hides them because she believes Israel’s God is God, and they promise to spare her family.
3. 3Joshua 3The priests carry the ark into the Jordan, the river stops flowing, and Israel crosses on dry ground.
4. 4Joshua 4Twelve stones from the riverbed are set up as a memorial so future generations will ask what they mean.
5. 5Joshua 5The new generation is circumcised and celebrates Passover. The manna stops. Joshua meets the commander of the Lord’s army.
6. 6Joshua 6Israel marches around Jericho for seven days, the walls fall at the trumpet blast, and Rahab and her family are saved.
7. 7Joshua 7Achan secretly takes forbidden plunder from Jericho, and Israel is defeated at Ai. His sin is uncovered and punished.
8. 8Joshua 8Israel captures Ai. Joshua builds an altar at Mount Ebal and reads the whole law to the people.
9. 9Joshua 9The Gibeonites trick Israel into a peace treaty by pretending to come from far away, because Israel did not ask the Lord.
10. 10Joshua 10Five Amorite kings attack Gibeon. Israel defends it, God sends hailstones, and the sun stands still until the battle is won.
11. 11Joshua 11Joshua defeats the northern kings led by Jabin of Hazor, and the land has rest from war.
12. 12Joshua 12A list of the kings defeated by Moses and Joshua.
13. 13Joshua 13Much land remains to be taken. The inheritance of the tribes east of the Jordan is described.
14. 14Joshua 14Caleb, now 85, asks for the hill country God promised him and receives Hebron.
15. 15Joshua 15The territory of Judah. Caleb gives his daughter Achsah land and springs.
16. 16Joshua 16The territory of the tribes of Joseph: Ephraim.
17. 17Joshua 17The territory of Manasseh, and the daughters of Zelophehad receive their inheritance.
18. 18Joshua 18The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh, and the land is surveyed. Benjamin receives its territory.
19. 19Joshua 19The territories of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan. Joshua receives his own town.
20. 20Joshua 20Six cities of refuge are set apart for those who kill someone by accident.
21. 21Joshua 21Forty-eight towns are given to the Levites. Not one of God’s good promises to Israel has failed.
22. 22Joshua 22The eastern tribes return home and build an altar by the Jordan, which nearly causes a war until they explain it is a witness, not a rival.
23. 23Joshua 23In old age, Joshua urges Israel’s leaders to stay faithful and not to mix with the nations or their gods.
24. 24Joshua 24Joshua renews the covenant at Shechem: “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua dies.