Book of history, the sixth book of the Old Testament and the Bible.
Author: Joshua, son of Nun. Joshua served as Israel’s leader following the death of Moses. He had previously served as the Moses’ aide, had explored the Promised Land with the 12 spies, and had led the Jews in military battle while in the wilderness.
Audience: Joshua is written to the Jewish people who first entered the land of Israel. These people experienced the initial fulfillment of God’s promises to provide a land and a nation to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3). This book preserves the history of Israel following the death of Moses. In particular, Joshua notes preparations to cross the Jordan River, the conquest of the land, and the divisions of the land to the tribes of Israel.
Date: Likely written between 1400 and 1370 BC.