AUTHOR: Its authorship has been hotly debated by higher critics. Traditionally, the Jews attribute the authorship of the Book to Joshua, also called Hosea [ Num 13:8 ]. The theory is supported that some passages could not have been written by Joshua, such as his own death and other events that occurred after his death. It is very likely that the book was composed in its final form by a later scribe or editor, but was based on documents written by Joshua.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME: The book is named after Moses' successor, Joshua, which comes from the Hebrew "Yehoshu'a" or "Yesua", which literally means "God is salvation" or “Jehovah Is Help.”

THEME: The book covers about 24 years of Israel's history under the leadership of Joshua, Moses' assistant and successor. The theme of the Book of Joshua is the conquest of the Promised Land. The death of Moses marked the end of the formative era of Israel's national life. The nation is in a position to take possession of Canaan and fulfill its mission to be a witness to the Israelites of their unity and to be an upholder of the word and law of God. Joshua is a book of victory and possession, which presents a picture of Israel, once rebellious, now transformed into a disciplined army of warriors, subjugating the nations that were superior in number and power by simply following the theocratic leadership of the Lord.
Politically, Canaan was divided into several city-states, each with its own autocratic government and all hostile to each other. Morally, people were depraved, anarchy and brutality were common. Canaanite religion emphasized fertility and sex, serpent worship and child sacrifice. The scene was set and the land ripe for conquest. In contrast, the people of Israel had been without a homeland for over four hundred years. They had lived in servitude to the Egyptian Pharaohs and then wandered aimlessly in the desert for over forty years. However, however imperfectly, they continued faithful to the one true God and held fast to the promise he had made to their forefather Abraham.

COMPILATION: Approximately 1405 / 1390 BC, it consists of 24 chapters and 658 verses.