|
Introduction and Title: |
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 that thirty enemy armies, the
people of Israel learn a crucial lesson under Joshua's capable
leadership...
The title of this book is
appropriately named after it's 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 sortened form of
Yehoshua. This is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name
Iesous (Jesus). Thus, the Greek title given to the book in the
Septuagint is Iesous Naus, "Joshua of the son of Nun". The
Latin title is Liber Josue, "The Book of Joshua." |
|
Author: |
Joshua
Although it cannot be
proven, Jewish tradition seems correct in assigning authorship to Joshua
himself. Chapter 24 verse 26 makes this clear statement: "The
Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God" This
refers at least to Joshua's farewell charge if not the book as a whole.
Three small portions however, must have been added after Joshua's death:
Othniel's Capture 15:13-19; Dan's Migration to the North 19:47; and
Joshua's Death and Burial 24:29-33. These may have been inserted
in the time of the judges by Eleazar the priest and his son Phinehas
(24:33). |
