JOSHUA: STUDY OUTLINE for
BIBL 105 – Old Testament Survey
I. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
A. Title and Meaning
•Hebrew Title: “Yehoshua” (YHWH saves/delivers)
•English Title: “Joshua” (Greek: Iesous = Jesus)
•Genre: Historical narrative; conquest account; theological history
B. Authorship & Date
•Traditional View: Joshua and contemporary sources (evangelical position)
•Internal Evidence: “Until this day” formulas suggest contemporary writing
•Date: c. 1400-1370 BC (Late Bronze Age)
•Historical Context: Conquest and early settlement period
C. Historical Setting
•Preceding Events: 40 years wilderness wandering
•Geographic Focus: Canaan (Promised Land)
•Archaeological Period: Late Bronze Age transition
•Political Context: Egyptian weakness, Canaanite city-states
D. Structure Overview
1. Conquest Preparation (1:1-5:15)
2. Conquest Campaigns (6:1-12:24)
3. Land Distribution (13:1-21:45)
4. Final Addresses (22:1-24:33)
E. Theological Purpose
•Covenant fulfillment: God keeps promises to patriarchs
•Divine faithfulness: “Not one word failed” (21:45)
•Holy war: God fights for His people
•Land as gift: Inheritance, not conquest achievement
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II. CONQUEST PREPARATION (1:1-5:15)
A. Divine Commission (1:1-18)
1. God’s Charge to Joshua (1:1-9)
•Leadership transition: “Moses My servant is dead”
•Promise renewal: Land promise to Abraham confirmed
•Territorial boundaries: Wilderness to Lebanon, Euphrates to Great Sea
•Divine presence: “I will be with you as I was with Moses”
•Success conditions: Meditate on law day and night
•Threefold command: “Be strong and courageous” (vv. 6, 7, 9)
•Book of Law: Torah observance essential
2. Joshua’s Charge to Israel (1:10-18)
•Three-day preparation: Officers prepare the people
•Provision command: Prepare food for journey
•Transjordan tribes: Must help in conquest despite inheritance
•Unity affirmation: “As we obeyed Moses, so we will obey you”
•Death penalty: For rebellion against Joshua’s authority
•Encouragement: “Be strong and courageous”
B. Reconnaissance Mission (2:1-24)
1. Spies Sent to Jericho (2:1-7)
•Secret mission: Two spies from Shittim
•Jericho target: Key fortress city
•Rahab encounter: Harlot protects spies
•King’s pursuit: Search for Hebrew spies
•Deception: Rahab hides spies, misdirects searchers
2. Rahab’s Faith Confession (2:8-14)
•Fear testimony: Hearts melted at reports of God’s works
•Historical knowledge: Red Sea, Sihon and Og victories
•Theological confession: “YHWH your God is God in heaven above and earth
below”
•Covenant request: Kindness for kindness
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•Family protection: Spare father’s house
•Oath taken: Spies swear by their lives 3. Escape and Agreement (2:15-24)
Scarlet cord: Sign of protection
Escape route: Window in wall (house built on wall)
Instructions: Gather family, stay inside during attack
Conditions: Keep silent about mission
Report to Joshua: “Surely YHWH has given all the land into our hands”
•Psychological victory: Inhabitants’ hearts melting
C. Jordan Crossing (3:1-4:24)
1. Preparation for Crossing (3:1-13)
•Early departure: From Shittim to Jordan
•Three-day wait: At Jordan’s banks
•Sacred procession: Ark of covenant leads
•Distance maintained: 2000 cubits between ark and people
•Sanctification: “Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow”
•Miracle promised: Waters will be cut off
2. The Miraculous Crossing (3:14-17)
•Priest’s faith: Feet touch water’s edge
•Water stoppage: Backed up at Adam (city)
•Dry ground: Riverbed becomes dry path
•Ark’s position: Priests stand in Jordan’s midst
•Complete crossing: All Israel passes over
•Harvest season: Jordan at flood stage (v. 15)
3. Memorial Stones (4:1-24)
•Twelve stones: Taken from Jordan’s midst
•Representatives: One man from each tribe
•Double memorial: Stones in Jordan and at Gilgal
•Future questions: Children will ask meaning
•Teaching opportunity: Tell of God’s mighty works
•Historical parallel: Like Red Sea crossing
•Date: Tenth day of first month
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D. Consecration at Gilgal (5:1-15)
1. Canaanite Fear (5:1)
•Psychological impact: Amorite and Canaanite kings’
hearts melted
•No spirit left: Demoralized by miracle 2. Circumcision
Renewal (5:2-9)
Flint knife command: Make sharp knives
Reason: Wilderness generation not circumcised
Reproach removal: “Rolled away reproach of Egypt”
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Gilgal name: “Rolling” - wordplay on reproach removal
Covenant sign: Circumcision prerequisite for Passover
3. Passover Celebration (5:10-12)
•First Passover: In Promised Land
•Date: 14th day of month, at Gilgal
•Land produce: Unleavened cakes and parched grain
•Manna cessation: Day after eating land’s produce
•Transition: From wilderness provision to land abundance
4. Divine Captain Appearance (5:13-15)
•Pre-battle encounter: Man with drawn sword
•Identity question: “Are you for us or for our adversaries?”
•Divine answer: “Neither, but as Captain of YHWH’s host”
•Worship response: Joshua falls on face
•Holy ground: Remove sandals (cf. Moses at burning bush) Divine presence:
God personally leads in conquest
III. CONQUEST CAMPAIGNS (6:1-12:24)
A. Central Campaign: Jericho and Ai (6:1-8:35)
1. Fall of Jericho (6:1-27)
•City’s condition: Tightly shut up
•Divine strategy: March around city
•Unusual tactics: Seven days, seven priests, seven trumpets
•Sacred procession: Ark accompanies army
•Silent march: Six days without shouting
•Seventh day: Seven circuits, then shout
•Complete destruction: Walls fall flat
•Rahab’s rescue: Family spared as promised
•Devoted things: Silver, gold, bronze, iron to treasury
•Joshua’s curse: On rebuilding Jericho
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•Joshua’s fame: Spread throughout land 2. Sin of Achan (7:1-26)
•Hidden sin: Achan takes devoted things Divine anger: Against all Israel
Ai defeat: Small city defeats Israel
Joshua’s dismay: Tears clothes, falls before ark
Divine explanation: Sin in camp breaks covenant
Detection method: Lot-casting by tribes, families, households
•Confession: Achan admits taking Babylonian garment, silver, gold
•Corporate punishment: Achan and family stoned
•Valley of Achor: “Valley of Trouble” - named for incident
•Divine anger: Turned away after judgment
3. Ai’s Conquest (8:1-29)
•Divine encouragement: “Do not fear”
•Strategy: Ambush from behind city
•Larger force: All men of war participate
•Battle plan: Feigned retreat draws out defenders
•Ambush success: City taken and burned
•King’s fate: Hanged on tree until evening
•Complete victory: All inhabitants destroyed
•Spoils permitted: Cattle and spoil taken (unlike Jericho)
4. Covenant Renewal at Shechem (8:30-35)
•Altar building: On Mount Ebal as Moses commanded
•Law writing: On stones with plaster
•Blessings and curses: Gerizim and Ebal ceremony
•Public reading: All words of law read
•Complete assembly: Men, women, children, strangers
•No exception: Nothing omitted from Moses’ commands
B. Southern Campaign (9:1-10:43)
1. Gibeonite Deception (9:1-27)
•Alliance formation: Western kings unite against Israel
•Gibeonite strategy: Deception to avoid destruction
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•False evidence: Old clothes, moldy bread, worn-out shoes
•Claim: “We come from a very far country”
•Treaty made: Without consulting YHWH
•Discovery: They are neighbors
•Oath honored: Cannot be broken despite deception
•Punishment: Become servants - woodcutters and water-carriers
•Divine purpose: Preservation through service
2. Battle of Gibeon (10:1-27)
Five-king alliance: Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon
Adoni-zedek’s fear: King of Jerusalem leads coalition
Gibeon’s appeal: Call for help from Joshua
All-night march: From Gilgal to Gibeon
Divine promise: “Do not fear them”
•Great victory: YHWH confused enemies
•Hailstone miracle: More killed by hail than sword
•Sun stands still: Day prolonged for complete victory
•Book of Jasher: Ancient source cited
•Kings’ capture: Five kings hide in cave
•Execution: Kings killed and hung on trees
3. Southern Cities’ Conquest (10:28-43)
•Systematic conquest: Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir
•Complete destruction: No survivors left
•Rapid campaign: From Kadesh-barnea to Gaza to Goshen
•Divine assistance: “YHWH fought for Israel”
•Return to Gilgal: Central base maintained
C. Northern Campaign (11:1-15)
•Jabin’s coalition: King of Hazor leads northern alliance
•Massive army: Like sand on seashore, with horses and chariots
•Waters of Merom: Battle location
•Divine assurance: “Do not be afraid”
•Surprise attack: Early morning assault
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•Complete victory: Pursued to Great Sidon and Mizpeh
•Hazor’s destruction: Only city burned
•Joshua’s obedience: “As YHWH commanded Moses”
D. Summary of Conquest (11:16-12:24)
1. Comprehensive Victory (11:16-23)
•Geographic scope: Hill country, Negev, lowland, slopes
•Time duration: “A long time” - not instantaneous
•Only exception: Gibeon made peace
•Divine hardening: Hearts hardened to fight Israel
•Anakim destruction: Giants removed from land
•Land’s rest: From war
2. Conquered Kings List (12:1-24)
•Transjordan victories: Sihon and Og (under Moses)
•Cisjordan victories: 31 kings defeated (under Joshua) Geographic
distribution: From north to south
Complete catalog: Evidence of thorough conquest
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IV. LAND DISTRIBUTION (13:1-21:45)
A. Remaining Tasks (13:1-7)
•Joshua’s age: Advanced years
•Remaining land: Much still to be possessed
•Philistine territory: Five lords of Philistines
•Northern regions: Lebanon and beyond
•Distribution command: Divide among nine and half tribes
B. Transjordan Inheritance (13:8-33)
1. Moses’ Distribution (13:8-14)
•Recipients: Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh
•Territory: From Arnon to Hermon
•Levi’s exception: YHWH is their inheritance
2. Individual Tribal Portions (13:15-33)
•Reuben (13:15-23): South of Heshbon
•Gad (13:24-28): Central Transjordan
•Half-Manasseh (13:29-33): Northern Transjordan, Bashan
C. Cisjordan Distribution Begins (14:1-15)
1. Distribution Process (14:1-5)
•Leadership: Eleazar, Joshua, tribal heads
•Method: Lot-casting
•Nine and half tribes: Recipients of Cisjordan land
•Levitical cities: Separate provision
2. Caleb’s Inheritance (14:6-15)
•Caleb’s claim: Based on Moses’ promise
•Faithful spy: Good report 45 years earlier
•Strength maintained: “As strong today as then”
•Request: Hebron and surrounding hill country
•Anakim challenge: “Perhaps YHWH will be with me”
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•Hebron given: Becomes Caleb’s inheritance
D. Judah’s Territory (15:1-63)
•Boundaries: Detailed description
•Caleb’s conquest: Hebron and surrounding cities
•Othniel’s heroism: Wins Achsah by taking Debir
•Jerusalem exception: Jebusites not driven out
E. Joseph Tribes (16:1-17:18)
1. Ephraim (16:1-10)
•Boundaries: Central hill country
•Gezer: Canaanites not driven out
2. Manasseh (17:1-18)
•Machir: Gilead and Bashan (Transjordan portion)
•Zelophehad’s daughters: Inheritance rights upheld
•Incomplete conquest: Canaanites in valleys with iron chariots
•Complaint: Portion too small for numerous people
•Joshua’s response: Clear forest land if needed
F. Remaining Tribes (18:1-19:51)
1. Shiloh Assembly (18:1-10)
•Tabernacle setup: At Shiloh
•Survey commission: Map remaining land
•Lot casting: Before YHWH at Shiloh
2. Seven Tribes’ Portions (18:11-19:48)
•Benjamin (18:11-28): Between Judah and Ephraim
•Simeon (19:1-9): Within Judah’s territory
•Zebulun (19:10-16): Lower Galilee
•Issachar (19:17-23): Jezreel Valley region
•Asher (19:24-31): Mediterranean coast north
•Naphtali (19:32-39): Upper Galilee
•Dan (19:40-48): Original coastal territory, later migration north
3. Joshua’s Inheritance (19:49-51)
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•Timnath-serah: In Ephraim hill country
•Built the city: Personal project
•Distribution complete: By lot at Shiloh
G. Cities of Refuge (20:1-9)
•Divine command: As spoken to Moses
•Purpose: Manslaughter cases, not murder
•Six cities: Three each side of Jordan
•Procedure: Trial before congregation
•High priest’s death: Release from refuge city
•Cities named: Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, Golan
H. Levitical Cities (21:1-45)
1. Levitical Request (21:1-3)
•Family heads approach: Eleazar, Joshua, tribal leaders
•Moses’ command: Cities and suburbs for Levites
•Grant given: From tribal inheritances
2. Distribution by Lots (21:4-42)
•Kohathites: 23 cities (13 for priests, 10 for others)
•Gershonites: 13 cities
•Merarites: 12 cities
•Total: 48 cities with suburbs
•Geographic spread: Throughout all tribes
3. Summary Statement (21:43-45)
•Promise fulfillment: All land given as sworn
•Possession: Israel took and dwelt in land
•Rest: YHWH gave rest from enemies
•Victory: Not one enemy stood before them
•Faithfulness: “Not one word failed of all good promises”
V. FINAL ADDRESSES (22:1-24:33)
A. Transjordan Dismissal (22:1-34)
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1. Joshua’s Commendation (22:1-8)
•Faithful service: Kept charge of YHWH’s commandment
•Long service: Many days with brothers
•Divine blessing: YHWH has given rest
•Dismissal: Return to own inheritance
•Final charge: Love YHWH, keep commandments
•Blessing: With much wealth and livestock
2. Altar Crisis (22:9-34)
•Altar building: At Jordan region
•Israel’s alarm: Fear of apostasy
•War preparation: Whole congregation assembles
•Phinehas’ mission: Investigate the altar
•Accusation: Treachery against YHWH
•Historical precedent: Peor and Achan incidents
•Explanation given: Altar for witness, not sacrifice
•Name: “Witness” - that YHWH is God
•Satisfaction: War averted, explanation accepted
B. Joshua’s Farewell Address (23:1-16)
1. Historical Review (23:1-5)
•Setting: Long time after conquest, Joshua old
•Divine faithfulness: YHWH fought for Israel
•Remaining nations: Still to be driven out
•Future promise: YHWH will continue to drive them out
2. Covenant Obligations (23:6-11)
•Courage needed: Keep all written in Law of Moses
•No mixing: Don’t associate with remaining nations
•No idolatry: Don’t mention, swear by, serve, or bow to their gods
•Exclusive devotion: Cleave to YHWH only
•Past victories: One man chased a thousand
•Love command: Love YHWH your God
3. Warning of Consequences (23:12-16)
•Intermarriage danger: If you associate with remaining nations
•Divine withdrawal: YHWH will not drive them out
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•Snares and traps: Remaining nations become problems
•Exile threat: Perish from good land
•Covenant breaking: If you transgress covenant
•Divine anger: Will be kindled against you
C. Shechem Covenant Renewal (24:1-28)
1. Historical Recital (24:1-13)
•Assembly: All tribes at Shechem
•Divine speech: “Thus says YHWH God of Israel”
•Patriarchal period: Abraham called from beyond River
•Egyptian sojourn: Jacob’s descendants multiply
•Exodus deliverance: Moses and Aaron sent
•Wilderness journey: 40 years in wilderness
•Conquest victories: Sihon, Og, and Canaanite kings
•Divine gift: Land you did not labor for, cities you did not build
2. Challenge to Choose (24:14-15)
•Fear and serve: YHWH in truth and sincerity Put away gods: Of your
fathers and Egypt Choice presented: Whom will you serve?
•Options: Gods beyond River, Amorite gods, or YHWH
•Joshua’s declaration: “As for me and my house, we will serve YHWH”
3. People’s Response (24:16-24)
•Rejection: “Far be it from us to forsake YHWH”
•Confession: YHWH brought us up from Egypt
•Commitment: “We also will serve YHWH”
•Joshua’s warning: “You cannot serve YHWH” - He is holy and jealous
•Persistence: “No! But we will serve YHWH”
•Witness: People are witnesses against themselves
•Action required: Put away foreign gods
•Covenant made: Statutes and ordinances at Shechem
4. Memorial Stone (24:25-28)
•Written record: In Book of Law of God
•Stone witness: Set up under oak by sanctuary
•Stone’s testimony: Heard all words of YHWH
•Dismissal: Each to his inheritance
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D. Three Deaths (24:29-33)
1. Joshua’s Death (24:29-31)
•Age: 110 years
•Burial: Timnath-serah in Ephraim
•Israel’s faithfulness: Served YHWH all days of Joshua and elders
2. Joseph’s Burial (24:32)
•Bones: Brought up from Egypt
•Burial location: Shechem, in Jacob’s purchase
•Inheritance: Children of Joseph’s inheritance
3. Eleazar’s Death (24:33)
•High priest: Aaron’s son
•Burial: Gibeah of Phinehas his son
VI. MAJOR THEOLOGICAL THEMES
A. Divine Faithfulness
•Promise fulfillment: All God’s promises come to pass
•Covenant keeping: God remembers oath to patriarchs
•“Not one word failed”: Complete reliability (21:45)
•Generational continuity: Promises to Abraham fulfilled in conquest
B. Holy War Theology
•YHWH as warrior: “YHWH fought for Israel”
•Divine presence: Ark leads in battle
•Miraculous intervention: Sun standing still, hailstones
•Complete victory: God gives total triumph
•Herem (devotion to destruction): Divine judgment on sin
C. Land as Divine Gift
•Grace not merit: Land given freely
•Inheritance concept: Permanent possession for tribes Rest
theology: Cessation from wandering and warfare
•Conditional tenure: Continued possession depends on faithfulness
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D. Covenant Renewal
•Generational responsibility: Each generation must choose
•Ceremonial renewal: Shechem covenant ceremony
•Witness stones: Memorial of covenant commitment
•Choice emphasis: “Choose this day whom you will serve”
E. Unity and Diversity
•Tribal identity: Each tribe receives distinct inheritance
•National unity: All Israel serves one God
•Central sanctuary: Unifying worship center
•Common covenant: Shared obligations and blessings
VII. CHRISTOLOGICAL CONNECTIONS (Evangelical Perspective)
A. Typological Fulfillment
•Joshua as type of Christ: Leader who brings people into rest
•Name significance: “Joshua” = “Jesus” (YHWH saves)
•Conquest victory: Christ’s victory over spiritual enemies
•Rest theology: Points to spiritual rest in Christ (Hebrews 3-4)
B. New Testament Applications
•Hebrews 3-4: Joshua’s rest as type of spiritual rest
•Ephesians 6: Spiritual warfare parallels
•Romans 6: Victory over sin parallels conquest victory
•Colossians 2: Christ’s triumph over principalities and powers
C. Salvation Themes
•Rahab’s faith: Gentile inclusion in covenant community
•Crossing Jordan: Death/resurrection imagery
•Promised Land: Eternal inheritance in Christ
•Cities of refuge: Christ as refuge from judgment
VIII. HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
A. Dating Issues
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•Traditional dating: c. 1400 BC (early date for Exodus)
•Archaeological evidence: Late Bronze Age destructions
•Egyptian records: Merneptah Stele mentions Israel
•Canaanite culture: Late Bronze Age city-states
B. Conquest Models
•Total conquest: Traditional view based on text
•Gradual infiltration: Peaceful settlement theory
•Internal revolution: Peasant revolt hypothesis
•Evangelical position: Supernatural intervention with historical reliability
C. Archaeological Correlations
•Jericho: Destruction layers and chronology debates
•Ai: Identification and destruction evidence
•Hazor: Massive destruction in Late Bronze Age
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General pattern: City destructions match biblical account
IX. LITERARY AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
A. Narrative Techniques
•Theological history: History with divine interpretation
•Repetitive structure: Similar conquest accounts
•Lists and genealogies: Administrative precision
•Speeches and prayers: Theological reflection
B. Geographic Organization
•Central campaign: Divides land strategically
•Southern campaign: Systematic conquest
•Northern campaign: Final major opposition
•Distribution: Orderly tribal allocation
C. Covenant Structure
•Historical prologue: Recital of God’s acts
•Stipulations: Covenant obligations
•Witnesses: Stones and people as witnesses Blessings/curses: Conditional
outcomes
X. CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
A. Faith and Obedience
•Courage in adversity: “Be strong and courageous” Scripture meditation:
Success through word study
•Complete obedience: Partial obedience leads to problems
•Divine presence: God’s presence in life’s battles
B. Leadership Principles
•Transition management: Moses to Joshua succession
•Delegation: Distribution of responsibilities
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•Decision making: Consulting God before acting
•Legacy building: Passing faith to next generation
C. Community Life
Unity in diversity: Tribal distinctness within national unity
•Worship centralization: Importance of unified worship
•Justice system: Cities of refuge for fairness
•Collective responsibility: Sin affects entire community
XI. KEY MEMORY PASSAGES
A. Central Promises
•1:8-9: Success through Torah meditation and courage
•21:45: “Not one word failed of all the good things”
•23:14: Divine faithfulness in all promises
•1:5: “I will be with you as I was with Moses”
B. Faith Declarations
•2:11: Rahab’s confession of YHWH’s sovereignty
•24:15: “Choose this day whom you will serve”
•24:24: “YHWH our God we will serve”
•10:25: “Do not fear or be dismayed”
C. Theological Statements
•10:14: “YHWH fought for Israel”
•3:5: “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow YHWH will do wonders”
•4:24: Memorial stones witness to God’s power
•22:34: Altar named “Witness that YHWH is God”
D. Practical Commands
•1:7: Turn not to right or left from the law
•23:6: Be very courageous to keep the law
•23:8: Cleave to YHWH your God
•24:14: Serve YHWH in sincerity and truth
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XII. STUDY QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
A. Historical Questions
•How does Joshua fulfill promises made in Deuteronomy?
•What role do miracles play in the conquest narrative?
•How does the conquest relate to ancient Near Eastern warfare?
What is the significance of the covenant renewal ceremonies?
B. Theological Questions
•How does God’s faithfulness manifest in the conquest?
•What is the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility?
•How do the cities of refuge reflect divine justice and mercy?
•What does the land distribution reveal about God’s character?
C. Practical Questions
•How should believers today apply the “holy war” passages?
•What principles of leadership can be learned from Joshua?
•How does incomplete obedience lead to future problems?
•What is the importance of remembering God’s past faithfulness?
XIII. INTEGRATION WITH BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
A. Pentateuchal Connections
•Genesis promises: Fulfillment of land promise to Abraham
•Exodus deliverance: Conquest as completion of Exodus
•Leviticus holiness: Separation from Canaanite practices
•Numbers wandering: Transition from judgment to blessing
•Deuteronomy preparation: Implementation of Moses’ instructions
B. Historical Books Context
•Judges: Foundation for understanding incomplete conquest
•Samuel-Kings: Davidic kingdom builds on conquest foundation
•Chronicles: Theological interpretation of Israel’s history
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•Ezra-Nehemiah: Return from exile parallels to conquest
C. Prophetic Anticipation
•Land themes: Exile and return prophecies
•Covenant themes: New covenant promises
•Divine warrior: God fighting for His people
•Rest themes: Messianic peace and Sabbath rest
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