Joshua was the son of Nun
from the tribe of Ephraim
and the appointed successor of Moses.
His name means “Yahweh is salvation”
(the same Hebrew root as the name Jesus).
He led the people of Israel across the Jordan River
into the Promised Land
and directed the conquest of Canaan.
Joshua is remembered as a courageous leader
who trusted God
and finished the work Moses had begun.
Joshua stands as the faithful servant who completed the journey from slavery to inheritance. Where Moses brought the people out of Egypt and to the edge of the land, Joshua brought them in. His life demonstrates courageous obedience, reliance on God’s presence, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. The book that bears his name records both military victories and covenant renewal, showing that entering the land required both faith and faithfulness. Joshua’s name itself points forward to Jesus, the greater Savior who leads His people into the true rest.
- Joshua was one of only two spies (along with Caleb) who trusted God and urged the people to enter the land (Numbers 14).
- God repeatedly told him, “Be strong and courageous,” tying courage to obedience and meditation on the Word.
- The crossing of the Jordan and the fall of Jericho both required unusual acts of faith rather than conventional military strategy.
- Joshua’s leadership combined military action with careful attention to the covenant and the reading of the Law.
- At the end of his life he challenged the people: “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- The New Testament presents Jesus as the greater Joshua who gives true and lasting rest (Hebrews 4).
- Service under Moses (Exodus 17, 24, 33) – Fought the Amalekites; accompanied Moses on the mountain; remained at the tent of meeting.
- Spy Mission (Numbers 13–14) – Sent as one of the twelve spies; with Caleb gave the minority report of faith.
- Commissioned as Successor (Numbers 27; Deuteronomy 31, 34) – Publicly appointed by Moses and filled with the spirit of wisdom.
- Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3–4) – Led the people across on dry ground; set up memorial stones.
- Fall of Jericho (Joshua 6) – Followed God’s unusual instructions; the walls fell after the people marched and shouted.
- Campaigns of Conquest (Joshua 6–12) – Directed the southern and northern campaigns; defeated thirty-one kings.
- Division of the Land (Joshua 13–21) – Oversaw the allotment of territory to the tribes.
- Covenant Renewal at Shechem (Joshua 24) – Gathered the people, rehearsed God’s faithfulness, and called them to choose whom they would serve.
- Death (Joshua 24) – Died at 110 years of age and was buried in his own inheritance at Timnath-serah.
- Numbers 14:6-9 – Joshua and Caleb urge the people to trust God and enter the land.
- Deuteronomy 31:7-8 – Moses charges Joshua: “Be strong and courageous… the Lord goes before you.”
- Joshua 1:7-9 – God’s charge to Joshua to be strong, courageous, and careful to obey the Law.
- Joshua 3:7 – “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel.”
- Joshua 6:2 – “See, I have given Jericho into your hand.”
- Joshua 21:45 – “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed.”
- Joshua 24:15 – “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- Hebrews 4:8-9 – Points to a greater rest beyond what Joshua provided.
Joshua’s life is a powerful testimony that God keeps His promises and that courageous obedience opens the way into inheritance. From the wilderness to the land, from the Jordan to Shechem, Joshua finished the work set before him. His very name — “Yahweh is salvation” — points beyond himself to Jesus, the true and greater Joshua, who conquers every enemy and leads His people into the eternal rest of God.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.