Person

Joshua

Moses’ assistant who leads Israel across the Jordan and into the land.

DatesAbout 1446–1390 BC on the early-date framework (debated; late-date view places him about 1250–1200 BC)
Primary regionCanaan & Israel
TimelineConquest & Judges
Key textsExodus 17:8–16; Numbers 13–14; Joshua 1; Joshua 24
Covered in classSession 2, Session 9

What the sources say, and how sure we are

The text says
Joshua serves Moses, is one of two spies who urge Israel to enter the land, and leads the people across the Jordan. He dies at 110 after renewing the covenant at Shechem.Num 13–14; Josh 1–4; Josh 24:1–29
Outside evidence
Joshua’s Hebrew name, Yehoshua, becomes Iesous in Greek, the same form used for Jesus in the New Testament. See the book of Joshua for the archaeology of the conquest.Heb 4:8
Debated
The dates, and the scale of the conquest, depend on the date of the Exodus and on competing models of Israel’s settlement. See the era page.Josh 6; Josh 11
Christian conclusion
The letter to the Hebrews says Joshua did not give the final rest, and points to the rest that Jesus gives.Heb 4:8–10