n.
Leader of the Israelite tribes after the death of Moses .
According to the biblical book of Joshua, Joshua led the people of Israel westward across the Jordan River to invade Canaan . Under his leadership the Israelites conquered the Canaanites and gained control of the Promised Land. The book begins by recounting the battles, including the famous demolition of the walls of Jericho . Joshua then divides Canaan among the 12 tribes of Israel , makes his farewell speech, and dies. The book was compiled much later than the events described, perhaps during the Babylonian Exile in the 6th century BC.