THE BOOK OF JOSHUA

BY : MICHAEL A. TATEL
1 S T YR AB PHILO
BOOK OF JOSHUA

• IS THE SIXTH BOOK OF THE

BIBLE, FOLLOWING THE
FIVE BOOKS OF THE
PENTATEUCH, JOSHUA
BEGINS THE STORY OF
ISRAEL’S LIFE IN THE LAND
OF CANAAN.
 THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE
BOOK
It is not possible to come up with a detailed description of the formation of the
book in all its stages. But the hand of deuteronosmsitic writers shows itself in
some passage like (Jos 1,1-18,8,30-35; 12;21,43-22,6;23.1-16). If the
Deuteronomistic writer’s influence is set asice for a while, what is left in chap 1-
12 are stories lineked with the tribe of Benjamin and its sanctuary in Gilgal .
These stories dwal with isolated military successes and defeats as well as matters
of cult. An important point that one should be aware pf os this : that these stories
do not give a complete picture of conquet of the land of Canaan. The extent of the
conquest is shown in the geographical list found in ch 13-21
THE LITERARY GENRE
• THE STORY ABOUT THE CONQUEST PF THE LAND OF
CANAAN IN CH 1-12 IS ITSELF COMPOSED OF
SEVERAL STORIES CLASSIFIED AS SAGAS CAIRD
DEFINES SAGA AS THE NAME WE GIVE TO
HISTORICAL MEMORIES WHICH ANTEDATE WRITTEN
RECORDS. BUT TEHRE’S MORE TO THIS DEFINITION
THAN MEET THE EYE . SAGAS HAVE A CONNECTION
WITH FACTS, BUT ITS MAIN CONCERN IS THE
UNIVERSAL TRUTH. SAGAS TELLS TYE SOTRY OF THE
PAST IN SUCH WAY THAT PRESENT READER GAINS
INSIGHT TO THE PRESENT. HENCE, SAGA IS NOT
CONCERNED SOLELY WITH THE “ HISTORICAL
MEMORIES” AS CAIRD SO DEFINCE BUT THROUGH IT
ISRAEL IS ABLE TO LOOK AT ITS PRESENT
EXPERIENCES WITH GOD.
 WHO WROTE IT?

• Joshua is part of a larger literary work called by scholars the “Deuteronomistic History”
(Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings). This work has a unified theological
outlook and tells the story of Israel from the time of Moses to the time of the Babylonian
exile. The composition of the whole work is attributed to the “Deuteronomist,” an
individual or group of individuals who used the laws and stories of Deuteronomy as the
basis of their theology. Many scholars argue for the existence of at least two
Deuteronomists, the first writing during the reign of King JosiahJudean king noted for his
reforms of Israel’s worship in the time of Jeremiah More in the last half of the seventh
century B.C.E. and the second writing and revising during the Babylonian exile of the
sixth century B.C.E.
 WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?

• It is generally agreed by scholars that Joshua reached its final

form during the Babylonian exile in the sixth century B.C.E.,
though the book obviously contains older material. The many
occurrences of the phrase “to this day,” to refer to structures
or practices existing in preexilic Israel, would argue that some
“edition” of the book was completed prior to the exile (see
4:9; 5:9; 7:26; 8:28-29; 9:27; 13:13; 14:14; 15:63; 16:10). The
use of the phrase would also imply that the author is writing
for an audience living well after the time of Joshua. Many
scholars place this first “edition” of Joshua in the reign of
King Josiah, in the last half of the seventh century B.C.E.
• The book of Joshua details
Israel's arrival in the
promised land and serves as
a reminder of God's
faithfulness and the terms of
the covenant.
• After forty years of wilderness wandering,
the Israelites finally entered Canaan (the
promised land) in Joshua. The Israelites
defeat the Canaanites under the leadership
of Joshua, Moses' successor, and then
divide the country among the twelve
tribes of Israel. Joshua and the Israelites
announce, "We will serve the LORD," at
the covenant renewal ceremony that takes
place at the book's conclusion
(Joshua).Joshua, Moses's successor,
escorted the Israelites into Canaan.24:21).
• The book of Joshua tells of God’s fulfillment of
God’s promises, the promises to AbrahamGod
promised that Abraham would become the father of
a great nation, receive a land, and bring blessing to
all nations. More in Genesis 12 that he will be
blessed with many descendants and with the land of
Canaan. Abraham, Isaac Son born to Abraham and
Sarah in fulfillment of God’s promise More, and
JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, renamed Israel,
became the father of the twelve tribal families More
never see the fulfillment of those promises, and their
descendants become slaves in Egypt.
• The book of Joshua,
then, is the fulfillment of
centuries of longing and
waiting on the part of
Israel. As such, it is a
witness to God’s
faithfulness to God’s
people, both then and
now.
References.
• LECTURE ABOUT THE BOOK OF JOSHUA BY REV. FR. WILFORD
URMAZA ,RCJ
• G.B CAIRD, THE LANGUAGE AND IMAGEERY OF THE BIBLE ( LONDON 1980)
204
• E JEWELL- F.ABATE,( ED)., THE NEW OXFORD AMERICAN DICTIONARY
( NEW YORK 2001) 583
• https://enterthebible.org/courses/joshua/lessons/summary-of-joshua
• THE BIBLE PROJECT YT