Joshua: The LORD gives the land and calls for loyalty

Where Joshua sits

In the story

Act IV, Israel · The Land, c. 1406–1050 BC

In the Bible

Old Testament · History · book 6 of 66

Before it in the story

Deuteronomy

After it in the story

Judges

Joshua brings Israel into the promised land after Moses’ death and prepares for the era of the judges.

Joshua summary

After Moses’ death, the LORD appoints Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan. Victories at Jericho, Ai and against the regional coalitions establish the gift of the land, while Achan’s sin and the Gibeonite treaty expose dangers within Israel. Tribal allotments give concrete form to the inheritance, including refuge cities and Levitical towns. The book closes by calling the people to covenant loyalty under the God whose promises and warnings both stand.

Joshua in context

Written by

Anonymous in its final form. Joshua records the covenant words in 24:26, but the book also narrates his death.

Written to

Israel receiving the history of its inheritance and learning to remain faithful to the LORD.

Setting

The crossing from the plains east of the Jordan into Canaan, the campaigns and tribal settlement, and the closing assemblies.

When

The app follows the traditional early conquest chronology, approximately 1406 BC onward. The book’s final composition date is not stated.

Why

To testify to the LORD’s fulfilled land promise and call Israel to faithful worship and obedience in the inheritance He gives.

Themes of Joshua

• Promise fulfilled
• God fights for His people
• The authority of God’s word
• Mercy and judgment
• Exclusive allegiance

Joshua chapter by chapter

Part 1 · Commission and entry 1–5

1. 1
   Joshua 1: The LORD commissions Joshua to lead

   God’s presence and written word equip Joshua to lead Israel into its promised inheritance.

2. 2
   Joshua 2: Rahab seeks refuge in the LORD

   Rahab confesses the LORD’s rule and protects the spies, seeking mercy for her household.

3. 3
   Joshua 3: The living God opens the Jordan

   The LORD stops the Jordan so Israel crosses on dry ground and knows He is among them.

4. 4
   Joshua 4: Stones teach the next generation

   The memorial stones call Israel’s children and the nations to recognize the LORD’s mighty hand.

5. 5
   Joshua 5: The holy Commander prepares His people

   Israel renews its covenant signs, and Joshua submits to the holy Commander of the LORD’s army.

Part 2 · The campaigns and their lessons 6–12

1. 6
   Joshua 6: The LORD gives Jericho and spares Rahab

   Jericho falls by the LORD’s power, while Rahab’s household receives the promised mercy.

2. 7
   Joshua 7: Hidden theft brings judgment on Israel

   Achan’s theft breaches the covenant and brings defeat until the LORD exposes and judges the offense.

3. 8
   Joshua 8: Ai falls and the law is heard

   The LORD restores Israel’s advance, and Joshua brings the whole assembly under the covenant word.

4. 9
   Joshua 9: A deceptive treaty becomes a binding oath

   Israel fails to seek the LORD’s counsel but honors the oath that preserves the Gibeonites’ lives.

5. 10
   Joshua 10: The LORD fights for Israel

   God answers Joshua, defeats the southern coalition and gives Israel victory over its cities.

6. 11
   Joshua 11: The northern coalition falls

   The LORD defeats the northern kings through Joshua and gives the land rest from the major campaigns.

7. 12
   Joshua 12: The defeated kings mark the gift of the land

   The record of defeated kings joins Moses’ and Joshua’s victories in one account of Israel’s inheritance.

Part 3 · The land is allotted 13–21

1. 13
   Joshua 13: The remaining land must be allotted

   God directs the aging Joshua to assign the remaining inheritance and recalls the eastern tribes’ portions.

2. 14
   Joshua 14: Caleb receives the promised hill country

   The LORD preserves Caleb and grants the inheritance promised to his persevering faith.

3. 15
   Joshua 15: Judah’s inheritance and remaining resistance

   Judah receives its borders and towns, while Caleb’s faith contrasts with Jerusalem’s remaining Jebusites.

4. 16
   Joshua 16: Ephraim receives land but leaves compromise

   Ephraim receives its inheritance within Joseph’s portion but leaves the Canaanites of Gezer in forced labor.

5. 17
   Joshua 17: Inheritance requires faithful possession

   Manasseh’s daughters receive their promised shares, and Joseph’s tribes are called to take possession with courage.

6. 18
   Joshua 18: The remaining tribes receive their portions

   At Shiloh, Joshua directs the survey and allotment, beginning with Benjamin’s territory.

7. 19
   Joshua 19: The allotments are completed

   The remaining tribes and Joshua receive their portions as the distribution concludes before the LORD.

8. 20
   Joshua 20: Cities of refuge protect a fair hearing

   The LORD appoints refuge for the unintentional killer, protecting life while preserving justice.

9. 21
   Joshua 21: The LORD keeps every good promise

   The Levites receive their cities, and the LORD’s gift of land and rest confirms His faithfulness.

Part 4 · The people are called to remain faithful 22–24

1. 22
   Joshua 22: An altar dispute is resolved by hearing the truth

   The tribes preserve their unity when an investigation shows the eastern altar is a witness, not a rival sanctuary.

2. 23
   Joshua 23: Faithfulness received calls for faithful love

   Joshua warns Israel to love the LORD, for the God who kept His promises will also enforce His covenant warnings.

3. 24
   Joshua 24: Remember God’s gift and serve Him alone

   God’s saving acts call Israel to renounce idols and serve Him as Joshua’s generation comes to its end.

See the outline of Joshua