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Also called
Oshea, Hoshea, Jehoshua
Name means
The LORD is salvation
Role
Successor of Moses; leader of the conquest of Canaan
When
c. 1400 BC (traditional)

What they did

Served Moses, was one of the two faithful spies, and led Israel across the Jordan and into the promised land. Before he died he urged the people to choose to serve the LORD.

Why it matters: the purpose of their role

God brought Israel into the inheritance through Joshua, keeping His promise to Abraham. His name is the Hebrew form of 'Jesus'.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Bible references

These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua. Numbers 13:16 (KJV)
And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. Numbers 14:6-9 (KJV)
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Joshua 1:1-2 (KJV)
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

Family

Father
Nun

Died at 110 (Joshua 24:29).

A fuller character study, with strengths, failures, lessons and a relationship diagram:

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