The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Book 06: Josue: The Challoner Revision

In Short

This historical book recounts the journey of the Israelites under the leadership of Josue as they cross the miraculous waters of the Jordan, conquer fortified cities like Jericho and Hai, and systematically settle the promised land of Canaan. Through divine commands, strict covenants, and detailed territorial divisions among the twelve tribes, the narrative establishes a foundational era for the nation of Israel. It has endured through centuries as a central text of faith, law, and historical memory, depicting the complex realization of ancient promises.

The Story

The narrative begins after the death of Moses, when the Lord speaks to Josue, the son of Nun, urging him to take courage and lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the promised land. Spies are sent ahead to Jericho, where a woman named Rahab shelters them in exchange for a promise of safety marked by a scarlet cord tied in her window. Following this reconnaissance, the priests carry the ark of the covenant into the Jordan, and the waters miraculously dry up, allowing the entire nation to cross safely on dry ground into Galgal.

Once across, the people are circumcised and celebrate the pasch before turning their attention to the heavily fortified city of Jericho. Following divine instructions, the priests march around the walls for seven days with trumpets of jubilee until the seventh day, when the walls collapse after a great shout, and the city is captured. Soon after, a setback occurs at the city of Hai due to a hidden transgression by Achan, who steals forbidden spoils; after the guilty party is discovered through casting lots, Achan and his household are stoned and burned in the valley of Achor.

Renewed, Josue captures Hai and burns it completely, subsequently building an altar on Mount Hebal to read the blessings and curses of the law of Moses before all the people. Meanwhile, the Gabaonites cleverly deceive the Israelites into a treaty of peace, saving themselves from destruction but being condemned to perpetual service as hewers of wood and carriers of water. This alliance provokes an attack by five Amorite kings, prompting Josue to rescue Gabaon with divine assistance, featuring miraculous hailstones from heaven and a day where the sun and moon stand still.

Josue continues his campaign across the north, defeating a massive coalition of kings at the waters of Merom and hamstringing their horses as commanded. Having subdued thirty-one kings in total across the hills, plains, and south, an aging Josue oversees the monumental task of dividing the conquered land by lot among the tribes of Israel. Portions are assigned to Ruben, Gad, and half of Manasses beyond the Jordan, while Caleb receives Hebron, and cities of refuge are established for accidental manslayers. Levites receive designated towns rather than land territory.

Toward the end of his life, Josue summons the elders, judges, and people to Sichem for a final solemn covenant. He recounts the history of divine faithfulness and challenges them to put away strange gods, prompting the people to affirm their commitment to serve the Lord. Josue sets up a great stone under an oak as a testimony before passing away at the age of one hundred and ten. He is buried in Thamnathsare, leaving behind a united people settled in their inheritance.

How It Unfolds

The divine commission The narrative opens with God addressing Josue directly after the death of Moses, offering steadfast encouragement and commanding him to lead the people across the Jordan River. Josue immediately begins organizing the camp and preparing the Israelites for the monumental transition into the promised land.

The crossing and conquest The narrative shifts to dramatic action as the Jordan River parts for the ark of the covenant, leading directly into the legendary fall of Jericho's walls after seven days of silent marching. This military momentum hits a temporary moral crisis during the initial setback at Hai, which is swiftly resolved by exposing Achan's hidden theft of forbidden spoils.

The campaign and alliances Josue fights successive sweeping campaigns against southern and northern coalitions, aided by divine interventions like falling hailstones and stationary heavenly bodies during the defense of Gabaon. Along the way, adversaries like the Gabaonites secure their survival through cunning deception, trading open combat for permanent servitude as hewers of wood.

The division of the land The focus transitions from warfare to painstaking administration as an aging Josue meticulously distributes territories, cities of refuge, and Levitical suburbs by lot among the various tribes. This detailed legal accounting anchors the spiritual victory in concrete geography, ensuring every tribe receives its assigned inheritance.

The final covenant The book concludes with Josue gathering the elders and people at Sichem to review their history and pledge their enduring loyalty through a solemn covenant sealed by a witness stone. Following this final charge and blessing, Josue dies at the age of one hundred and ten, closing a defining chapter.

The People

Josue serves as the central figure, transitioning from a loyal minister of Moses to the resolute military commander and leader of Israel. He wants to fulfill divine commands completely, facing obstacles like formidable walled cities, iron chariots, and a rebellious population, ultimately leaving behind a settled and faithful nation.

Rahab appears as an astute inhabitant of Jericho who wants to save her family from impending destruction. She overcomes the danger of her position by hiding Israelite spies and marking her house with a scarlet cord, ending up spared alongside her kindred while the rest of the city is destroyed.

Achan stands as a cautionary figure from the tribe of Juda who succumbs to greed upon seeing forbidden spoils at Jericho. He wants material wealth, hiding a scarlet garment and silver in his tent, which stands in the way of divine favor until his transgression is uncovered and he faces execution.

Caleb appears as a steadfast follower of God who reminds Josue of his faithfulness decades prior in Cadesbarne. He wants his promised inheritance and successfully petitions for Hebron, ending up with the territory as a reward for wholly following the Lord.

Eleazar the priest works alongside Josue to oversee the division of the land by lot and manage the religious duties of the community. He wants to establish proper order, working through tribal boundaries and Levitical allotments to secure an organized society.

In Its Own Voice

When commissioning Josue after the death of Moses, God promises constant presence and unwavering support during the trials ahead.

As I have been with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee.

During the tense negotiations with the spies inside Jericho, Rahab secures a reliable guarantee of protection for her entire family.

That you will save my father and mother, my brethren and sisters, and all things that are theirs, and deliver our souls from death.

When facing the daunting challenge of crossing the flooded river, Josue instructs the people to prepare for extraordinary divine actions.

Be ye sanctified: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

What It's Really About

The book explores the complex theological relationship between divine promise, human obedience, and territorial inheritance. It questions what it takes to maintain faith and community identity under pressure, examining the heavy cost of transgression and the strict boundaries required to preserve a covenant society. The text grapples with the transition from nomadic wandering to settled statehood, emphasizing that survival depends entirely on adherence to divine law rather than military might alone. Through detailed land distributions and solemn renewals of vows at Sichem, the narrative investigates how memory, law, and physical space intertwine to bind a people to their history and their God.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate ancient foundational history, epic narratives of migration and conquest, and detailed theological records will find this text compelling. Reading it feels like stepping into a vast, ancient chronicle marked by stark moral choices, sweeping divine interventions, and meticulous legal documents. What stays with you long after finishing is the striking gravity of its scenes, from the silent march around Jericho's collapsing walls to an aging leader demanding a final choice from his people. Modern readers must confront significant difficulties, including the archaic Challoner revision dialect, descriptions of total warfare, and period attitudes toward foreign nations that clash sharply with contemporary sensibilities. Yet, looking past these barriers reveals a powerful exploration of leadership, community building, and the heavy responsibilities of keeping a covenant. It offers an unvarnished window into the mindset of an ancient culture attempting to ground its identity in sacred law.