Josh·ua /ˈʤɑʃ(ə)wə/
 約書亞,約書亞書
 Joshua
      n 1: (Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into
           the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction
           of Jericho
      2: a book in the Old Testament describing how Joshua led the
         Israelites into Canaan (the Promised Land) after the death
         of Moses [syn: Josue, Book of Joshua]
 Joshua
    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 Timnath-serah (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)
 Joshua, a savior; a deliverer