Joshua
Joshua has 24 chapters. Read Joshua in the World English Bible (Catholic), chapter by chapter, free and without an account.
Joshua recounts Israel’s entry into Canaan under Moses’ successor. The people cross the Jordan, fight campaigns, and receive tribal land allotments. The book presents these events as fulfillment of God’s promises while also naming territory still to be possessed. It closes with appeals to covenant faithfulness, an assembly at Shechem, and the deaths of Joshua and Eleazar.
In Christian Bibles, Joshua is one of the Historical Books of the Old Testament. In the Jewish Tanakh it belongs to the Nevi’im, the Prophets. See it on the shelf.
Joshua 1 commissions Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan with courage, obedience, and confidence in God’s presence.
Joshua 2 tells how Rahab protects Israel’s spies, confesses faith, receives a promise of rescue, and helps them escape Jericho.
Joshua 3 recounts Israel crossing the Jordan on dry ground as priests carry the ark and God confirms Joshua’s leadership.
Joshua 4 establishes twelve memorial stones so future generations remember Israel’s dry-ground crossing of the Jordan.
Joshua 5 records covenant renewal, Passover at Gilgal, the end of manna, and Joshua’s holy encounter near Jericho.
Joshua 6 recounts Jericho’s fall after Israel’s obedient procession and the rescue of Rahab and her household.
Joshua 7 traces Israel’s defeat at Ai to Achan’s hidden theft, exposing communal consequences and covenant accountability.
Joshua 8 recounts the successful ambush of Ai and Israel’s covenant renewal at Mount Ebal through sacrifice and Scripture.
Joshua 9 tells how Gibeon deceives Israel with worn provisions and receives protection under a binding oath.
Joshua 10 describes Israel’s defense of Gibeon, the prolonged day, and victories over a southern coalition.
Joshua 11 recounts the defeat of the northern coalition, the subduing of Canaan, and the land’s rest from war.
Joshua 12 lists the kings defeated under Moses and Joshua, summarizing Israel’s victories on both sides of the Jordan.
Joshua 13 identifies remaining territory and reviews the eastern tribal inheritances as elderly Joshua begins distribution.
Joshua 14 records Caleb’s faithful request for Hebron and Joshua’s blessing of his long-promised inheritance.
Joshua 15 defines Judah’s inheritance and highlights Caleb, Othniel, Achsah, and the gift of upper and lower springs.
Joshua 16 describes Ephraim’s allotted boundaries and notes the unresolved Canaanite presence at Gezer.
Joshua 17 grants inheritance to Zelophehad’s daughters and challenges Joseph’s descendants to clear the hill country.
Joshua 18 establishes the tabernacle at Shiloh, surveys remaining land, and assigns Benjamin’s inheritance by lot.
Joshua 19 assigns the remaining tribal territories and concludes with Joshua receiving Timnath-serah as his inheritance.
Joshua 20 appoints cities of refuge to protect those accused of accidental killing until a fair hearing occurs.
Joshua 21 distributes forty-eight Levite cities and celebrates Israel’s possession, rest, and the fulfillment of every promise.
Joshua 22 resolves conflict over the Jordan altar through careful inquiry, truthful explanation, and renewed tribal unity.
Joshua 23 records Joshua’s farewell appeal for courageous obedience, exclusive loyalty, and love for God.
Joshua 24 renews Israel’s covenant at Shechem, calls the people to choose faithful service, and records Joshua’s death.