---
title: "Who Wrote the Book of Joshua?"
canonical: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/questions/who-wrote-the-book-of-joshua"
markdown: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/questions/who-wrote-the-book-of-joshua.md"
type: "questions"
typeTitle: "Questions"
authors:
  - "Gerald Vreeland"
date: "2024-06-19"
updated: "2026-09-15"
topics:
  - "Biblical Figures"
perspective: "Learn"
relatedBook: "The Moody Bible Commentary"
relatedBookUrl: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-moody-bible-commentary"
---

# Who Wrote the Book of Joshua?

> The book of Joshua is anonymous, though Joshua himself may have written most of it. The death narrative was likely added later by Eleazar or elders who outlived him.

**Type:** Questions  
**Published:** June 19, 2024  
**Authors:** [Gerald Vreeland](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/authors/gerald-vreeland)  
**Topics:** [Biblical Figures](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/topics/biblical-figures)  
**Perspective:** Learn

The book is anonymous. The title “Joshua” is taken from the principal figure. It is possible that Joshua also wrote this book. This theory of authorship becomes difficult in light of the book including the death of Joshua (24:29-33). However someone else could have added these appendices (cf. Dt 34:5-12), perhaps Eleazar or one of the elders who outlived Joshua. Joshua could have written most of the book him- self as hinted by the first person plural in the narrative (5:1 NASB footnote indicating “other mss. read we,” 6).

## For Further Reading

[The Moody Bible Commentary](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-moody-bible-commentary)

by Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham