Bible Dictionaries
Joshua

Holman Bible Dictionary

(jahssh yoo uh) Personal name meaning, “Yahweh delivered.” 1. Leader of Israelites who first took control of Promised Land of Canaan. Joshua is one of the unsung heroes of the Old Testament. He, not Moses, led the people into the Promised Land. He was a person of such stature that he could succeed the incomparable Moses and compile a record of notable success (Joshua 24:31 ). The Hebrew variations of Joshua are Oshea (Numbers 13:16 ); Hosea (Hosea 1:1 ). English versions differ in their transliteration of the Hebrew names. Its New Testament equivalent is Jesus.

Joshua was born in Egypt during the period of slavery. He was a member of Ephraim, the important tribe that later formed the heart of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He first appeared during the battle with the Amalekites during the desert travels. He was Moses' general, who led the troops in the actual fighting while Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands (Exodus 17:8-13 ).

Joshua was Moses's servant (Exodus 24:13 ). He was on the mountain when Moses received the Law (Exodus 32:17 ). He was also one of the twelve spies Moses sent to investigate Canaan (Numbers 13:8 ). He and Caleb returned with a positive, minority report. Of all the adults alive at that time, only the two of them were allowed to live to enter the land of Canaan (Numbers 14:28-30 ,Numbers 14:28-30,14:38 ).

The Lord selected Joshua to be Moses' successor long before Moses' death (Numbers 27:15-23; Deuteronomy 31:14-15 ,Deuteronomy 31:14-15,31:23; Deuteronomy 34:9 ). Joshua was a military leader, a political leader, and a spiritual leader. He was quiet and unassuming, but he was not buffaloed by his responsibilities or the task that lay before him. He was a battlefield genius, particularly in the areas of careful planning, strategy, and execution. He was a capable administrator for the nation, effective in maintaining harmony among people and groups. He was a spokesman to the people for the Lord. Though he did not receive the Law as Moses had, he communicated the Lord's will and the Lord's message much like Moses.

Joshua was at the helm of the nation during the conquest and the distribution and settlement of Canaan. He led in the covenant renewal at mount Ebal and Shechem (Joshua 8:30-35; Joshua 24:1-28 ). He was able to challenge his people by both word and example. His pattern is a hard one to better. See Joshua, The Book of; Moses .

2. High priest of community who returned from Babylonian Exile in 538 B.C. See Jeshua 3.

Dan Gentry Kent