Information AboutJoshua |
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Joshua or '''Yehoshúa''' ('''יְהוֹשֻׁעַ''' "Yeho/ YHVH is help/saves/delivers", Standard Hebrew '''Yəhošúaʿ''', Tiberian Hebrew '''Yəhôšuªʿ''') is a Biblical character, much of whose life is described in the Book Of Joshua . The lack of a ''vav'' after the ''shin'' would normally indicate a pronunciation of Yehoshēa`, and in three places he is actually called Hoshēa. In Greek he is called Ιησούς (Iēsoûs) του Ναυή, the same as the name of Jesus Of Nazareth and others bearing the Hebrew name Yēshua`. He may be a historical figure, and would have lived sometime between the 18th Century BC and the late 13th Century BC . Joshua was the son of 4:8 (R.V., Joshua). He was born in Egypt , and was probably of the age of Caleb , with whom he is generally associated. He shared in all the events of the Exodus , and held the place of commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against the Amalekites in Rephidim (Ex. 17:8-16). He became Moses' minister, and accompanied him part of the way when he ascended ( Num. 13:16, 17), and only he and Caleb gave an encouraging report. Before Moses died, he appointed Joshua as his successor. The people were encamped at , God encouraged him to be strong and to cling to the Law, which was never to "depart out of his mouth." After enlisting the cooperation of the kindred east Jordanic tribes, his first concern was to spy out Jericho . On receiving the report of his emissaries he gave the necessary instructions for the crossing by the Israelites of the Jordan. With the Ark Of The Covenant carried by the priests in the van, on the tenth day of the first month of the forty-first year after the Exodus the Israelites set out to conquer the land. The river, miraculously divided as long as the priests with the Ark remained in its bed, was crossed north of Adam ; and in memory of this occurrence Joshua erected over the place where the priests had been stationed a monument of twelve stones. Joshua ordered that one man from each tribe should take each another stone from that spot and deposit it on the western bank as a memorial. Here, at Gilgal , Joshua pitched his camp and remained for some time; and in order that all might be able to participate in the Passover , he directed that every Hebrew that had been born in the desert should be Circumcised . CONQUEST Now began the wars of conquest which Joshua carried on for many years, the record of which is in the Book Of Joshua . Jericho was the first city the Hebrews met on their journey into Canaan . Jericho was, according to the book of Joshua chapter 6, emptied and burned to the ground. After exploring it by spies Joshua invested it, finally capturing it. According to the Book of Joshua, chapter six, this was done by the men of war circling the city for six days in silence, and on the seventh day, seven Kohenim or priests (Kohen is Hebrew for Priest) circled the city seven times each blowing a shofar or ram's horn, and with the priests final blow of their horns all the Israelites shouted as one, and the walls of Jerhico fell. A curse was pronounced over the ruins, and every man, woman, and child in the city was killed save Rahab and her paternal family; they being spared because she had betrayed her city and shown hospitality to the Hebrew spies. Joshua became famous by this victory as is attested to by the many folk as well as art songs which are song about his victory. The following is an excerp of the famous story from the book of Joshua 6:20-21:
But Joshua met a reverse at Ai in consequence of Achan 's misdeed; however, after visiting condign punishment upon the offender he made himself master of the town, which was the key to the mountains rising west of the plain of Jericho. The Gibeonite s made their peace with him, gaining advantageous terms by means of a clever ruse. On Ebal and Gerizim he caused the blessings and the curses to be read. While Joshua was engaged in the north, five of the southern rulers made an alliance to punish Gibeon ; but they were routed at Makkedah by Joshua, who came to the assistance of the Gibeonites. It was during this battle that a furious hail-storm set in, proving more deadly than the sword, and on this occasion also, at Joshua's command, the sun stood still upon Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Ajalon . The fugitive five kings were discovered hiding in a cave at Makkedah. By Joshua's orders the cave was closed with huge stones until the pursuit was over, when it was reopened and the kings, after having been thoroughly humiliated, were slain, their bodies being hanged on trees until the evening, when they were taken down and cast into the cave. Then followed the conquest of Libnah , Lachish , Eglon , Hebron , and Debir . In the south Joshua penetrated as far as Kadesh-barnea ; in the west as far as Gaza . Later on he routed the allied kings of the north at Lake Merom — Hazor being the head of these kingdoms—killing the inhabitants and burning the city of Hazor. In this manner Joshua within a few years had made himself master of the whole country with the exception of the Philistine and Phoenicia n coasts. Still he continued to guard in Gilgal his fortified camp; thence he governed the land, and there he began to allot the districts to the various tribes. Judah , Ephraim , and the half of Manasseh were the first to be settled, Caleb being allowed to take Hebron. After this, Joshua removed the Tabernacle and the Ark from Gilgal to Shiloh , and took up his residence there. Here he continued the work of apportioning the rest of the land by lot according to the families. Cities of refuge, in accordance with the Law, were appointed. Joshua himself received the city of Timnath-serah in Ephraim for an inheritance. Having thus completed his task, he gave Reuben, Gad, and the half of Manasseh permission to return to their east Jordanic territory. END OF HIS LIFE When he was "old and stricken in age" Joshua convened the elders and chiefs of the Israelites and exhorted them to have no fellowship with the native population. At a general assembly of the clans at Shechem he took leave of the people, admonishing them to be loyal to their God, who had been so mightily manifested in the midst of them. As a witness of their promise to serve God, Joshua set up a great stone under an oak by the sanctuary of God. Soon afterward he died, at the age of 110, and was buried in Timnath-serah. ANALYSIS The character of Joshua is described by 13:16). And this name is the key to his life and work. Alike in bringing the people into Canaan, in his wars, and in the distribution of the land among the tribes, from the miraculous crossing of Jordan and taking of Jericho to his last address, he was the embodiment of his new name, 'Jehovah is help.' To this outward calling his character also corresponded. It is marked by singleness of purpose, directness, and decision...He sets an object before him, and unswervingly follows it." (''Bible Hist''., iii. 103) IN RABBINICAL LITERATURE In Rabbinic Jewish Literature Joshua is regarded as a faithful, humble, deserving, wise man. Biblical verses illustrative of these qualities and of their reward are applied to him. "He that waits on his master shall be honored" ( Pro. xxvii. 18) is construed as a reference to Joshua ( Midrash Numbers Rabbah xii.), as is also the first part of the same verse, "Whoso keepes the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof" (''Midrash Yalk''., Josh. 2; ''Numbers Rabbah'' xii. 21). That "honor shall uphold the humble in spirit" ( Pro. xxix. 23) is proved by Joshua's victory over Amalek (''Midrash Numbers Rabbah'' xiii). Not the sons of Moses — as Moses himself had expected — but Joshua was appointed successor to the son of Amram (''Midrash Numbers Rabbah'' xii). Moses was shown how Joshua reproved Othniel (''Yalḳ''., Num. 776). Joshua's manliness recommended him for this high post. David referred to him in Psalms lxxxvii. 25, though without mentioning the name, lest dissensions should arise between his sons and those of his brothers (Yalḳ., quoting '' Sifre ''). Also, Josh is a Sal! REFERENCES ''Initial text from Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897, and from the ''Jewish Encyclopedia'', 1906. Please update as needed''. EXTERNAL LINKS |