Whereas the Pentateuch is, largely, an account of Israel’s failures, Joshua is a success story. Here, God’s people finally take possession of the land promised to them. They conquer a great deal of kingdoms and experience the fullness of God’s blessings: “[n]ot one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass” (Josh. 21:45, ESV). And Joshua’s speech, which starts in the twenty third chapter, is a beautiful farewell that echoes Deuteronomy in a personal, impassioned way. Joshua is a striking window into the good that God has in store for His people.

The New International Commentary: The Book of Joshua by Marten Woudstra draws from extensive study in history and linguistics. He provides vital commentary in terms of the ancient Hebrews’ perspective and that of modern scholarship.

New International Commentary on the Old Testament - Series Editor: Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

Maneuvering through Levitical laws, bloodshed in Joshua, or Daniel's apocalyptic visions, sincere readers often wonder what the Old Testament means and how it can be the Word of God. For several decades the New International Commentary on the Old Testament has helped countless people traverse this difficult literary terrain.

All the NICOT volumes combine superior scholarship, an evangelical view of Scripture as the Word of God, and concern for the life of faith today. Each volume features an extensive introduction treating the biblical book's authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology. The author's own translation of the original Hebrew and verse-by-verse commentary follow. The commentary itself carefully balances coverage of technical matters with exposition of the biblical text's theology and implications.