Joshua Research Paper

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK OF JOSHUA:

The Book of Joshua in Hebrew is “Yehoshua” the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). Joshua’s name means “The Lord is Salvation,” In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, his name takes the same name borne by our Lord, Jesus. The Book of Joshua is the first book of the Historical Books of the Old Testament in the Greek, ‘Septuagint”.

The Book of Joshua was written by Joshua as evidenced by the composition of the book. He was the successor of Moses. Early in the book of Joshua there is the use of first person plural “we” (Joshua 5:1,6). Traditionally Joshua is the author of almost the entire book of Joshua. It clearly reveals that Joshua witnessed and wrote the events. The book was written before the death of Rahab. The author of this book had the genius of a general and provides detailed information of Israel’s campaigns. All this evidence shows that Joshua is the composer of the book that bears his name. The book of Joshua was written about 1380 B.C., at the end of conquest of the land of Canaan just before the death of Joshua (Geisler 93, 94). Joshua was the son of Nun at his birth he was called Hoshea but was renamed Joshua by Moses (Numbers 13:16).

He served as a military field commander and was a disciple of Moses when he accompanied him up on Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. He was a believing courageous spy along with Caleb. The only two who brought a positive report when Moses sent them to spy the land with ten other spies who brought a negative report. He was an excellent leader and commander in taking the land of Canaan. He was an administrator in locating the land. Joshua was a military genius and a spiritual giant who stirred up the faith of his army by the word of God and his lifestyle. He was of exemplary character as he led the Israelites into the promised