Hebrew Bible

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and pregnancy loss.

The Book of Joshua, named after its main character, continues the story of the Israelites as they cross the Jordan River and move into the land of Canaan. The Israelites are now led by Joshua, Moses’ appointed successor. Joshua has served as the people’s military leader up to this point, so he is well equipped for the next stage of the process. As the Israelites cross the Jordan River, G-d repeats his miracle from the Red Sea and makes the river stand still so that a dry pathway appears across it. When the people of Israel approach the city of Jericho to lay siege to it, G-d tells Joshua to undertake an unusual method of warfare: Rather than bringing any weaponry to bear on the city, Joshua is to march around the city. After the Israelites march around the city for seven days, the outer walls fall down, enabling their army to scramble over the rubble and seize the city. 

The Book of Joshua then goes on to recount other campaigns in Canaan. Most of these go as the conquest of Jericho did: complete victories, with G-d often providing miraculous interventions.