Joshua, The Book of

The sixth book of the OT, the first of the Former Prophets (the historical books of Joshua through 2 Kings). The book tells how the people of Israel came to possess the land promised to their ancestors (Gen 13:15-17; Gen 15:5; Gen 15:7; Gen 18-21:7; Gen 17:2-8; Gen 22:17-18; Gen 26:2-4; Gen 28:3-4; Gen 13-15:3; Gen 50:24).

Outline of Contents

Joshua

I. The conquest of Canaan (Josh 1:1-12:24)

A. Transfer of leadership to Joshua (Josh 1:1-18)

1. God’s commission to Joshua (Josh 1:1-9)

2. Joshua’s instructions to the people (Josh 1:10-18)

B. Entrance into Canaan (Josh 2:1-5:15)

1. Reconnaissance of Jericho (Josh 2:1-24)

2. Crossing the Jordan (Josh 3:1-17)

3. Establishing a foothold at Gilgal (Josh 4:1-5:1)

4. Circumcision and Passover (Josh 5:2-15)

C. Victory over Canaan (Josh 6:1-12:24)

1. Destruction of Jericho (Josh 6:1-27)

2. Failure and success at Ai (Josh 7:1-8:29)

3. Renewal of the covenant at Mt. Ebal (Josh 8:30-35)

4. Other campaigns in central Palestine (Josh 9:1-27)

5. Campaigns in southern Palestine (Josh 10:1-43)

6. Campaigns in northern Palestine (Josh 11:1-23)

7. Summary list of defeated kings (Josh 12:1-24)

II. Distribution of the land (Josh 13:1-22:34)

A. God’s instructions to Joshua (Josh 13:1-7)

B. Tribal allotments (Josh 13:8-19:51)

1. Eastern tribes (Josh 13:8-33)

2. Western tribes (Josh 14:1-19:51)

C. Cities of refuge and levitical cities (Josh 20:1-21:42)

D. Summary of conquest (Josh 21:43-45)

E. Dismissal of the eastern tribes (Josh 22:1-34)

III. Conclusion (Josh 23:1-24:33)

A. Joshua’s farewell address (Josh 23:1-16)

B. Covenant at Shechem (Josh 24:1-28)

C. Deaths of Joshua and Eleazar; burial of Joseph’s bones (Josh 24:29-33)