Joshua, Joshua

His story is told in the Hebrew Bible, chiefly in the books Exodus, Numbers and Joshua. He was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan.

Dever states, "The Biblical narratives about Abraham, Moses, Joshua and Solomon probably reflect some historical memories of people and places, but the 'larger than life' portraits of the Bible are unrealistic and contradicted by the archaeological evidence." According to conventional Bible chronology, the events Joshua is associated with would have happened around 1450 1370 B.C., or sometime in the late Bronze Age. He is noted as being Moses' apprentice and the leader of the Israelites during the Conquest of Canaan.

When Achan's sin was exposed, he and his family and his animals were stoned to death and the favor of God was again restored. Joshua was then able to defeat Ai.

From there on, Joshua was able to lead the Israelites to several victories, securing much of the land of Canaan.

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 that Othniel ( Yal ., 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 (Yal., quoting Sifre ).

As such, he is frequently mentioned in works on theology. In Turkey, it's believed that his tomb is in Istanbul, on the Asian side of Bhosphorus. The sacred place known as Yua Tepesi (Joshua's Hill) is revered and visited by the locals.

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