Facts about Joshua
Joshua became a prophet in his own right and led the Israelites victoriously into Canaan.
The discovery of the Amarna letters casts an interesting light on both the figure of Joshua and the conquest.
Later, when God expands the gift of prophecy to include 70 elders at the tent, Joshua is also present.
Joshua first appears in the biblical narrative as a young man in Exodus 17, when Moses appoints him to lead a battle against the Amalekites at Rephidim.
Moses intervenes on their behalf, prophesying that all of the Israelites born in Egypt except Joshua and Caleb will die before entering Canaan.
After this, Joshua removes the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant from Gilgal to Shiloh, and takes up his residence there.
Joshua himself receives the city of Timnath-serah in Ephraim for an inheritance.
Joshua's historicity has been doubted by critics, who regard him either as a mythological figure or as the personification of tribal reminiscences crystallized around a semi-mythical hero.
Exodus 33 states that Joshua also attends the "Tent of Meeting," erected before the construction of the more formal Tabernacle, where Moses would speak to God "face to face."
Before Moses died, he appointed Joshua as his successor.
Nearing Jericho, Joshua encounters a mysterious "man" who identifies himself as the "commander of the army of the Lord" and Joshua prostrates himself before him in worship (Josh.
Only Joshua and Caleb testify in favor of attempting to conquer the land, saying "Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.
Achan, his wife, and even his sons and daughters are stoned to death for this sin, and Joshua promptly makes himself master of both Ai and Bethel.
According to Finkelstein, Joshua's story was later taken up and embellished by the priestly supporters of King Josiah in the late seventh century B.C.E.
Contemporary Israeli archaeologist Israel Finkelstein theorizes that both Joshua and David may in fact been Habiru leaders, David being the last and greatest of them.
Joshua becomes famous by this victory, but meets a surprising reverse at Ai.
Some rabbis believe that the harlot Rahab became Joshua's wife.
On this occasion also, at Joshua's command, the sun stands still in Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Ajalon.
Near the end of the 40 years in the wilderness, God instructs Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor (Num.
The historicity of the account of Joshua's life is challenged by modern scholarship, as is the ethical attitude of the supposed Israelite conquest.
By Joshua's orders the cave is closed with huge stones until the battle ends.
The battle goes the Amalekites' way whenever Moses lowers his hands, but the fighting goes Joshua's way when when Moses' hands remain uplifted.
Joshua is regarded by the ancient rabbis as the type of the faithful, humble, deserving, wise man.
Here, at Gilgal, Joshua pitches his camp and remains for some time.
Moses appoints Joshua and Caleb to begin the apportionment of tribal lands in Canaan.
Hearing a report that two additional elders had received the prophetic gift without being present at the tent, Joshua objects, saying, "Moses, my lord, stop them!"
Joshua remains inside the tent when Moses leaves it to return to the camp.
When he is "old and stricken in age" Joshua convenes the elders and chiefs of the Israelites and exhorts them to have no fellowship with the native population.
According to the Book of Joshua, God encourages him to be strong and to cling to the Law, which was never to "depart out of his mouth."
The people encamp at Shittim when Joshua assumes the command before crossing the Jordan River.
Now begin the wars of conquest which Joshua carried on for many years, the record of which is in the Book of Joshua.
Joshua alone accompanies Moses when the great prophet is called by God to ascend Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
Hearing of the absolute slaughter of any settlements that resist Joshua's advance, the Gibeonites make peace with him, by means of a clever ruse.
Joshua emerges fully at this point as his successor: "Now Joshua son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.
Joshua's faithfulness is demonstrated particularly in his role in the episode of spying in Canaan.
On receiving their report, Joshua instructs the Israelites to cross the Jordan.
Joshua or Yehoshъa (??????????—"The Lord is help") is a biblical character, whose life is described in the books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and especially the Book of Joshua.