JOSHUA

Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary

General Editors

T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, Andreas J. Köstenberger

Assistant Editors

James M. Hamilton, Kenneth A. Mathews, Terry L. Wilder

David G. Firth

Joshua

Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary

Copyright 2021 David G. Firth

Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

LexhamPress.com

All rights reserved. You may use brief quotations from this resource in presentations, articles, and books. For all other uses, please write Lexham Press for permission. Email us at permissions@lexhampress.com.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Christian Standard Bible (csb)®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked (esv) are from ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (niv) are from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Print ISBN 9781683594406

Library of Congress Control Number 2020948488

General Editors: T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, Andreas J. Köstenberger

Assistant Editors: James M. Hamilton, Kenneth A. Mathews, Terry L. Wilder

Lexham Editorial: Derek Brown, Kelsey Matthews, Elliot Ritzema, Abigail Salinger, Abigail Stocker, Jessi Strong

Cover Design: Joshua Hunt

DEDICATION

FOR EMMA INESON

CONTENTS

General Editors’ Preface

Dedication

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

I. Date, Authorship, and Purpose

II. Joshua and the Canon

A. Joshua as the Conclusion to the Hexateuch

B. Joshua as Part of the Deuteronomistic History

C. Joshua and the Wider Canon of Scripture

III. The Genre of Joshua

A. Joshua as Narrative

B. Joshua as History

C. Joshua as Narrated History and Scripture

IV. Joshua and the Problem of Violence

V. Outline

Biblical and Theological Themes

§1 Faithfulness and Obedience

§2 Identity of the People of God

§3 Joshua and Jesus

§4 Land as God’s Gift

§5 Leadership

§6 Power and Government

§7 Rest

§8 The Promise of God

Exposition

I. Entering the Land (1:1–5:12)

A. Preparations for Entering the Land (1:1–18)

B. Rahab and the Spies in Jericho (2:1–24)

C. Crossing the Jordan (3:1–4:24)

D. Circumcision and Passover (5:1–12)

II. Taking the Land (5:13–12:24)

A. Jericho (5:13–6:27)

B. Achan and Ai (7:1–8:29)

C. Renewal at Mount Ebal (8:30–35)

D. The Gibeonite Deception (9:1–27)

E. The Campaign in the South (10:1–43)

F. The Campaign in the North and Summary List of Kings (11:1–12:24)

III. Allotting the Land (13:1–21:45)

A. Preparations for Distributing the Land (13:1–14:15)

B. The Allotment for Judah (15:1–63)

C. The Allotment for Joseph (16:1–17:18)

D. Land Distribution at Shiloh ...