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Answer
There is no explicit mention of authorship in the book of Joshua, but tradition suggests that Joshua either wrote the entire book or supervised a significant portion of the text. Several factors support Joshua as the primary author of this book, including the use of insider information and the mention of details only an eyewitness could know. For instance, Joshua 5:1 describes the crossing of the Jordan River using the pronoun “we,” implying firsthand testimony. The inclusion of ancient Canaanite names further indicates an early date of writing, supporting Joshua as the likely author.
Joshua was Moses’ loyal assistant, and, alongside Caleb, he stood faithful to God when the other Israelites rebelled in Numbers 13 and 14. Joshua took over as the leader of the Israelites after Moses’ death, and he was charged with the conquest of Canaan. Details of this conquest are recorded in the book of Joshua, a continuation of the events contained in the Pentateuch. The book of Joshua holds enduring relevance for Christians, emphasizing God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises, His judgment of transgressions, and His victory achieved in unconventional, miraculous ways.
There is some evidence of later additions by Joshua’s contemporaries, such as details about Joshua’s death «And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being a hundred and ten years old. », (Joshua 24:29) and events that occurred after that. Such posthumous additions to a completed work are not unusual. We see much the same thing in Deuteronomy 34, which details the death of Moses, the author of Deuteronomy.
Some scholars, critical of the book of Joshua, seek to undermine its historical value and date it to a time distant from the recorded events. However, there is plenty of internal evidence.It is believed that Joshua was written by someone who lived during the historical events described in the book. Particularly, Joshua 6:25 mentions Rahab, stating that “she lives among the Israelites to this day.” Evidently, the author of Joshua was acquainted with Rahab and resided during the fall of Jericho.
In Joshua 24, Joshua gathers the people of Israel and delivers a lengthy speech. Initially, Joshua recounts the entire history of the people, beginning with Abraham, progressing through Moses and the exodus, and culminating with God’s faithfulness demonstrated in their conquest of Canaan. He then urges them to enter into a covenant with the Lord, making his famous declaration, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” «And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. », (Joshua 24:15). The people pledge to serve the Lord (verses 18, 21, and 24), and Joshua ratifies the covenant with them. Ultimately, “Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God” (verse 26). It is plausible that what Joshua documented was subsequently recognized as the book of Joshua.
If Joshua did not pen the book that bears his name, then it was probably authored by a scribe under his supervision.
