Leader · Old Testament
The Story of Joshua
Also: Yoshua (Kiswahili), Hoshea
Moses' assistant and successor, who led Israel across the Jordan into the promised land.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Joshua son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, served as Moses' assistant and led Israel's army against Amalek. Exodus 17:9–13Exodus 33:11Numbers 13:8
One of the twelve spies, he and Caleb urged Israel to trust the LORD and enter the land. Moses renamed him from Hoshea to Joshua. Numbers 13:16Numbers 14:6–9
Commissioned as Moses' successor, Joshua led Israel across the Jordan, through the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land, and renewed the covenant before he died. Numbers 27:18–23Joshua 1:1–9Joshua 24:14–31
Told in: Exodus · Numbers · Deuteronomy · Joshua
Life at a glance
- Family
- Son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim Numbers 13:8Numbers 13:16
- Role
- Assistant to Moses; leader of Israel after him Exodus 24:13Joshua 1:1–2
- Death
- Died at 110 and was buried in Timnath Serah Joshua 24:29–30
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Joshua
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Leads the battle against Amalek
At Moses' command Joshua fights Amalek while Moses holds up his hands, and Joshua overcomes them.
One of the twelve spies
Numbers 13:1–33 · Numbers 14:6–10
Joshua explores Canaan with the other spies. With Caleb he urges the people not to fear, and the LORD promises that the two of them will enter the land.
Commissioned as Moses' successor
Numbers 27:15–23 · Deuteronomy 31:7–8
Moses lays his hands on Joshua before Eleazar and the people, and the LORD encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous.
Crossing the Jordan
Joshua 1:1–18 · Joshua 3:1–17 · Joshua 4:1–24
The LORD charges Joshua to lead the people. Rahab hides the spies in Jericho, and Israel crosses the Jordan on dry ground as the priests carry the ark.
The fall of Jericho
Joshua 5:13–15 · Joshua 6:1–27
Joshua meets the commander of the LORD's army; Israel marches around Jericho seven days and the walls fall. Rahab and her household are spared.
The conquest of Canaan
Joshua 7:1–26 · Joshua 8:1–35 · Joshua 10:1–15 · Joshua 11:16–23
After defeat at Ai because of Achan's sin, Israel takes Ai, makes a treaty with Gibeon, and under Joshua defeats the kings of the south and north; the sun stands still at Gibeon.
More about this event
Places named: Ai, Gibeon
Dividing the land
Joshua 13:1–7 · Joshua 14:6–15
Joshua allots the land to the tribes, gives Hebron to Caleb, and sets up cities of refuge.
Farewell and covenant renewal
Joshua 23:1–16 · Joshua 24:1–31
Old Joshua gathers Israel at Shechem, recounts what the LORD has done, and calls the people to choose whom they will serve: as for him and his house, they will serve the LORD. He dies at 110.
More about this event
Places named: Shechem, Timnath Serah
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Joshua. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollection
- Judges 2:6–9 — Joshua's death recalled at the start of Judges.
- 1 Kings 16:34 — Joshua's curse on the rebuilding of Jericho fulfilled.
- Acts 7:45
Teaching or quotation mentioning them
- Hebrews 4:8 — If Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day.
Family and relationships
- MosesServed as Moses' assistantExodus 24:13Exodus 33:11
- CalebFellow spy who trusted the LORDNumbers 14:6
- RahabSpared at JerichoJoshua 6:22–25
Books associated with Joshua
- Joshua Main narrative figure
- Joshua Book named after them
The book is named after Joshua; it does not name its author. Joshua is said to have written words in the Book of the Law of God (Joshua 24:26).
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
CourageCovenantFaithfulness
- What does the LORD tell Joshua in Joshua 1:6-9, and why is it repeated?
- What choice does Joshua set before Israel in Joshua 24:14-15?
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