Answer
The book of Joshua tells the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land and conquering its godless inhabitants, an event foretold in the book of Exodus, based on a promise God gave to their forefather Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3; Exodus 3:8). The realization of this promise occurred 40 years after God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. During those 40 years, the nation wandered in the wilderness between their encampment at Mount Sinai and the plains of Moab, near the Promised Land. Internal evidence suggests that portions of Joshua were written down as the events it narrates began to unfold around 1400 BC. The completion of the book likely occurred around 1370 BC.
The first section of Joshua describes Israel’s reconnaissance of the Promised Land and the nation’s crossing of the Jordan River to enter it (chapters 1—5) after the death of Moses around 1400 BC (Joshua 1:1). From start to finish, the events described—Israel’s entry, conquest, and settlement of the Promised Land—occurred over a span of approximately 25 years. The final passage, which reports Joshua’s death, was likely added shortly after he died (Joshua 24:29–31). These details provide a timeframe for the composition of the book—between 1400 BC and 1370 BC.
In addition to these chronological markers, internal evidence sheds light on when Joshua was written. In the second section of the book, which narrates Israel’s conquest of the land (chapters 6—12), there is a reference to one of its key figures—Rahab—still being alive at the time her portion of the story was recorded: “But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho” (Joshua 6:25, ESV). The phrase to this day suggests that Rahab was still living when these words were written, offering insight into the timing of the book’s composition.
Next, in the section of Joshua that describes the distribution of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel (chapters 13—21), there is a reference to tribal representatives creating a written record of the geographical boundaries: “So the men went and passed up and down in the land and wrote in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions” (Joshua 18:9). This historical detail provides further evidence that Joshua was written as the events it narrates unfolded.
The final section of the book, which describes the Israelites settling in the Promised Land (Joshua 22—24), informs readers that Joshua himself created a written record of what God revealed to him: “And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord” (Joshua 24:26). This statement supports Joshua’s authorship of the book.
Those who argue for a later date for Joshua’s composition often suggest that its themes align with the political and religious reforms that King Josiah enacted in Israel in the late seventh century BC (2 Kings 22—23). However, themes such as the promotion of Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people and the prohibition against idolatry resonate throughout all eras of the nation’s history. When the arguments are weighed carefully, and the details of Joshua are interpreted without preconceived skepticism, there is no compelling reason to reject the internal evidence the book provides regarding the timing of its composition.
God not only used Joshua to fulfill His promise to give the Promised Land to Israel, but also to record the story of the conquest and settlement for future generations. The book of Joshua is not merely a historical record of these events but is a testimony that God is faithful to keep His promises: “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45, ESV; cf. Psalm 145:13).
