Book of Joshua

The Book of Joshua ( ספר יהושע‎  – Sefer Yeoshuah) is the sixth book in the Bible and the first book of the history of Deuteronomy and beyond, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile. It chronicles the of the campaigns of the people of Israel in central, southern and northern Canaan, the destruction of their enemies, and the division of the land among the 12 tribes.  It is framed by two set-piece speeches, the first by HaShem commanding the conquest of the land, and, at the end, the last by Joshua warning of the need for faithful observance of the Law.

Structure of the Book:

I. Transfer of leadership to Joshua (1:1–18)

A. God’s commission to Joshua (1:1–9)

B. Joshua’s instructions to the people (1:10–18)

II. Entrance into and conquest of Canaan (2:1–5:15)

A. Entry into Canaan

1.Reconnaissance of Jericho (2:1–24)

2. Crossing the River Jordan (3:1–17)

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

4.  Circumcision and Passover (5:2–15)

B. Victory over Canaan (6:1–12:24)

1. Destruction of Jericho (6)

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

3. Renewal of the covenant at Mount Ebal (8:30–35)

4. Other campaigns in central Canaan. The Gibeonite Deception (9:1–27)

5. Campaigns in southern Canaan (10:1–43)

6. Campaigns in northern Canaan (11:1–15)

7. Summary of lands conquered (11:16-23)

8. Summary list of defeated kings (12:1–24)

III. Division of the land among the tribes (13:1–22:34)

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

B. Tribal allotments (13:8–19:51)

1. Eastern tribes (13:8–33)

2. Western tribes (14:1–19:51)

C. Cities of refuge and Levitical cities (20:1–21:42)

D. Summary of conquest (21:43–45)

E. De-commissioning of the eastern tribes (22:1–34)

IV. Conclusion (23:1–24:33)

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

B. Covenant at Shechem (24:1–28)

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