What is Joshua about?
Joshua describes Israel’s entry into the land after Moses’ death, campaigns led by Joshua, the distribution of territories and a final covenant gathering. The book connects leadership transition with repeated calls to follow the instruction previously given through Moses.
A four-part reading map
- Joshua 1–5 — entry: Joshua’s commission, the spies and Rahab, crossing the Jordan, memorial stones and preparation at Gilgal.
- Joshua 6–12 — campaigns: Jericho, Achan and Ai, the Gibeonites, southern and northern battles, and a summary of defeated kings.
- Joshua 13–21 — allotment: tribal territories, Caleb’s inheritance, cities of refuge and Levitical cities.
- Joshua 22–24 — unity and covenant: the eastern tribes’ altar, Joshua’s final speeches and the assembly at Shechem.
Sample questions and answers
Answer from memory, then read the cited scene to place each detail within the book’s movement from entry to covenant renewal.
Which city’s walls fell after Israel marched around it?
Reference: Joshua 6:1–20
The walls of Jericho fell after Israel followed God’s instructions.
Who led Israel after the death of Moses?
Reference: Joshua 1:1–9
Joshua succeeded Moses as Israel’s leader.
Who hid the Israelite spies in Jericho?
Reference: Joshua 2:1–21
Rahab hid the spies and helped them escape.
What river did Israel cross to enter Canaan?
Reference: Joshua 3:14–17
The Jordan stopped flowing while Israel crossed on dry ground.
What happened to the walls of Jericho?
Reference: Joshua 6:1–20
After the seventh-day procession and shout, the walls fell.
Who took forbidden items from Jericho and brought trouble on Israel?
Reference: Joshua 7:1–26
Achan secretly took devoted items from Jericho.
What did Rahab hang from her window as a sign?
Reference: Joshua 2:18–21
Rahab tied a scarlet cord in the window to identify her household.
During which battle did the sun stand still in Joshua’s account?
Reference: Joshua 10:6–14
Joshua prayed during the battle against the Amorite kings near Gibeon.
How to study Joshua
Track movement on a simple map: east of the Jordan, the crossing, central, southern and northern campaigns, and tribal allotments. Mark every memorial, boundary and covenant gathering. Compare Joshua’s opening commission in chapter 1 with his closing speeches in chapters 23–24 to see how leadership, courage and obedience frame the book.
Context and interpretation note
Place names and territorial boundaries differ in spelling across translations, and modern identifications are not equally certain. The campaign narratives also raise serious ethical and theological questions that communities interpret differently. This quiz tests people, sequence, speeches and stated outcomes in Joshua; it does not turn disputed modern applications or archaeological conclusions into simple factual answers.