JOSHUA

1. The son of Nun, a distinguished leader of the Hebrews, and the successor of Moses. His name at first was Oshea, Nu 13:8,16; and in the New Testament he is called Jesus, Ac 7:45 Heb 4:8. Both the names, Joshua and Jesus, signify savior, deliverer. See JESUS. Joshua led Israel over the Jordan, and took possession of the promised land; he conquered the Canaanites, and then distributed the country among the tribes. He is first mentioned as the leader of Israel against the Amalekites at Rephidim, Ex 17:8-16. See also Nu 14:6. At the passage over Jordan he was eighty-four years of age; and after about twenty-six years employed in his appointed work, and then judging Israel at his at Timnath-serah, he died, B. C. 1426. His last grand convocation of all Israel, at Shechem, and his solemn address to them and renewal of their covenant with God, form the worthy close of a life on which in the sacred records no blot rests. He seems to have served the Lord with singular fidelity. No man witnessed more or greater miracles than he; and in his life may be found many points of resemblance to that of the greater "Captain of the Lord’s host," who establishes his people in the true promised land. THE BOOK OF JOSHUA contains the narrative of all these transactions, and was written by Joshua himself, or under his direction, B. C. 1427. From Jos 24:27 on, was of course added by a later hand; but all was done under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, 2Ti 3:16. 2. The son of Josedech. See JESHUA.

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Joshua. Joshua
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; PRIEST.)

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)

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Joshua. a savior; a deliverer

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JOSHUA. 1. Also called JEHOSHUA, and JEHOSHUAH, and OSHEA
* Son of Nun Nu 13:8; 1Ch 7:27
* Intimately associated with Moses Ex 24:13; 32:17; 33:11
* A religious zealot Nu 11:28
* Sent with others to view the promised land Nu 13:8
* Makes a favorable report Nu 14:6-10
* Rewarded for his courage and fidelity Nu 14:30,38; 32:12
* Commissioned, ordained, and charged with the responsibilites of Moses' office Nu 27:18-23; De 1:38; 3:28; 31:3,7,23; 34:9
* Divinely inspired Nu 27:18; De 34:9; Jos 1:5,9; 3:7; 8:8
* His life miraculously preserved when he made a favorable report about the land Nu 14:10
* Promises to Jos 1:5-9
* Leads the people into the land of Canaan Jos 1; 2; 3; 4; Ac 7:45; Heb 4:8
* Renews circumcision of the children of Israel; re-establishes the Passover; has a vision of the angel of God Jos 5
* Besieges and captures Jericho Jos 6
* Captures Ai Jos 7; 8
* Makes a treaty with the Gibeonites Jos 9:3-27
* The kings of the six nations of the Canaanites band together against him Jos 9:1,2
* The six kings make war upon the Gibeonites; are defeated and killed Jos 10
* Defeats seven other kings Jos 10:28-43
* Conquers Hazor Jos 11
* Completes the conquest of the whole land Jos 11:23
* List of the kings whom Joshua struck down Jos 12
* Allots the land Jos 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19
* Sets the tabernacle up at Shiloh Jos 18:1
* Sets apart several cities of refuge Jos 20
* 48 Cities for the Levites Jos 21
* Exhortation of, before his death Jos 23; 24
* Survives the Israelites who refused to enter the promised land Nu 26:63-65
* His portion of the land Jos 19:49,50
* Death and burial of Jos 24:29,30
* Esteem with which he was held Jos 1:16-18
* Faith of Jos 6:16
* Military genius of, as exhibited
* At the defeat of the Amalekites Ex 17:13
* At Ai Jos 8
* At Gibeon Jos 10
* At Hazor Jos 11
* Age of, at death Jud 2:8

2.An Israelite 1Sa 6:14,18 3. A governor of Jerusalem 2Ki 23:8 4. Also called JESHUA
* The high priest of the captivity Ezr 2:2
* Assists Zerubbabel in restoring the temple Ezr 3; 4:1-6; 5; Hag 1:1,12-14; 2:2

→ SYMBOLICAL
* Of the restoration of God's people Zec 3; 6:9-15