Joshua study section

Joshua chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every chapter, with the period it covers. Open any chapter for the full study.

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Chapter list

Chapters 1–12

Conquering the Land

Crossing the Jordan, the fall of Jericho, and the campaigns that subdue Canaan.

Chapter 1 (c. 1406 BC): The LORD commissions Joshua after Moses’ death, commanding him to be strong and courageous and to meditate on the law.
Chapter 2 (c. 1406 BC): Two spies are hidden by Rahab of Jericho, who confesses faith in the LORD and is promised safety by the scarlet cord.
Chapter 3 (c. 1406 BC): Israel crosses the Jordan on dry ground as the priests carry the ark and the waters stand in a heap.
Chapter 4 (c. 1406 BC): Twelve stones are set up as a memorial of the crossing, to teach coming generations what the LORD has done.
Chapter 5 (c. 1406 BC): The new generation is circumcised and keeps the Passover; the manna ceases, and Joshua meets the commander of the LORD’s army.
Chapter 6 (c. 1406 BC): Jericho’s walls fall after Israel marches around the city for seven days, and Rahab’s household alone is spared.
Chapter 7 (c. 1406 BC): Achan’s hidden sin brings defeat at Ai; the sin is exposed and judged, and Israel is restored.
Chapter 8 (c. 1406 BC): Ai is taken by ambush, and Joshua renews the covenant on Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, reading all the law.
Chapter 9 (c. 1406 BC): The Gibeonites deceive Israel into a treaty by pretending to come from far away, and become woodcutters and water-carriers.
Chapter 10 (c. 1405 BC): The LORD fights for Israel against five Amorite kings, hurling hailstones and making the sun stand still at Gibeon.
Chapter 11 (c. 1404 BC): Joshua defeats the northern coalition under Jabin of Hazor and takes the whole land as the LORD commanded.
Chapter 12 (c. 1400 BC): A summary list of the thirty-one kings defeated east and west of the Jordan.

Chapters 13–21

Dividing the Land

The allotment of the territory among the twelve tribes.

Chapter 13 (c. 1399 BC): The LORD notes the land yet to be possessed and confirms the eastern tribes’ inheritance beyond the Jordan.
Chapter 14 (c. 1399 BC): Caleb, at eighty-five and still strong, claims Hebron, having wholly followed the LORD.
Chapter 15 (c. 1399 BC): The inheritance of Judah is described, with Caleb’s conquest of Hebron and Othniel’s capture of Debir.
Chapter 16 (c. 1399 BC): The inheritance of Ephraim, who fail to drive out the Canaanites of Gezer.
Chapter 17 (c. 1399 BC): The inheritance of Manasseh, including the daughters of Zelophehad, as Joseph’s tribes ask for more land.
Chapter 18 (c. 1399 BC): The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh, the remaining land surveyed, and lots cast for the seven remaining tribes, beginning with Benjamin.
Chapter 19 (c. 1399 BC): The inheritances of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan, and the city given to Joshua.
Chapter 20 (c. 1399 BC): The cities of refuge are appointed, where one who kills unintentionally may flee from the avenger of blood.
Chapter 21 (c. 1399 BC): The Levites receive forty-eight cities, and not one word of all the LORD’s good promises has failed.

Chapters 22–24

Covenant Renewal

The eastern tribes sent home and Joshua’s farewell call to “choose this day whom you will serve.”

Chapter 22 (c. 1399 BC): The eastern tribes build an altar by the Jordan, nearly provoking war until it is explained as a witness, not for sacrifice.
Chapter 23 (c. 1376 BC): Joshua’s farewell charge to the leaders: hold fast to the LORD and do not mix with the nations.
Chapter 24 (c. 1375 BC): Covenant renewal at Shechem, where Joshua declares, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

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