Joshua 
 Text:  Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, 
of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of 
Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A.V.), and Jesus in Acts 
7:45 and Heb. 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 or servant, and accompanied him part of the 
way when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the two tables (Ex. 
32:17). He was also one of the twelve who were sent on by Moses to 
explore the land of Canaan (Num. 13:16, 17), and only he and Caleb 
gave an encouraging report. Under the direction of God, Moses, before 
his death, invested Joshua in a public and solemn manner with 
authority over the people as his successor (Deut. 31:23). 

The people were encamped at Shittim when he assumed the command (Josh. 
1:1); and crossing the Jordan, they encamped at Gilgal, where, having 
circumcised the people, he kept the Passover, and was visited by the 
Captain of the Lord's host, who spoke to him encouraging words 
(1:1-9). Now began the wars of conquest which Joshua carried on for 
many years, the record of which is in the book which bears his name. 

Six nations and thirty-one kings were conquered by him (Josh. 
11:18-23; 12:24). Having thus subdued the Canaanites, Joshua divided 
the land among the tribes, Timnath-serah in Mount Ephraim being 
assigned to himself as his own inheritance. (See SHILOH; PRIEST.) His 
work being done, he died, at the age of one hundred and ten years, 
twenty-five years after having crossed the Jordan. He was buried in 
his own city of Timnathserah (Josh. 24); and "the light of Israel for 
the time faded away." 

Joshua has been regarded as a type of Christ (Heb. 4:8) in the 
following particulars:, 

(1.) In the name common to both; 

(2.) Joshua brings the people into the possession of the Promised 
Land, as Jesus brings his people to the heavenly Canaan; and 

(3.) as Joshua succeeded Moses, so the Gospel succeeds the Law. 

The character of Joshua is thus well sketched by Edersheim:, "Born a 
slave in Egypt, he must have been about forty years old at the time of 
the Exodus. Attached to the person of Moses, he led Israel in the 
first decisive battle against Amalek (Ex. 17:9, 13), while Moses in 
the prayer of faith held up to heaven the God-given 'rod.' It was no 
doubt on that occasion that his name was changed from Oshea, 'help,' 
to Jehoshua, 'Jehovah is help' (Num. 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) 

All definitions are taken from Easton's Bible Dictionary.