Bible Study The Book of Joshua

[Atonement]

The Book of
JOSHUA​

Joshua, the first of twelve historical books (Joshua-Esther), forges a link between the Pentateuch and the remainder of Israel's history. Through three major military campaigns involving more than thirty enemy armies, the people of Israel learn a crucial lesson under Joshua's capable leadership: victory comes through faith in God and obedience to His word, rather than through military might or numerical superiority.

The title of this book is appropriately named after its central figure, Joshua. His original name is Hoshea, "Salvation" (Num 13:8); but Moses evidently changes it to Yehoshua, "Yahweh is Salvation" (Num 13:16). He is also called Yeshua, a shortened form of Yehoshua. This is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name lesous (Jesus). Thus, the Greek title given to the book in the Septuagint is lesous Naus, "Joshua the Son of Nun." The Latin title is Liber Josue, the "Book of Joshua."

His name is symbolic of the fact that although he is the leader of the Israelite nation during the conquest, the Lord is the Conqueror.