I. Military and Conquest Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Conquest (Implied throughout, e.g., Joshua 1:1-9, Chapters 6-12): The series of military campaigns undertaken by the Israelites under Joshua to take possession of the land of Canaan as promised by God.;xNLx;Devote to destruction / Utterly destroy (Hebrew: charam or herem) (e.g., Joshua 2:10; 6:17-18, 21; 7:1, 11-13, 15; 8:26; 10:1, 28, 35, 37, 39-40; 11:11-12, 20-21): A command from God to consecrate certain Canaanite cities, their inhabitants, and their possessions to Him, often by complete destruction. This was a form of divine judgment on the wickedness of the Canaanites and a measure to protect Israel from pagan influences. Anything "devoted" was set apart for God and could not be taken as spoil by the Israelites (except where specifically permitted).;xNLx;Spoil / Plunder (e.g., Joshua 7:21; 8:2, 27; 11:14; 22:8): Goods, livestock, or valuables taken from a defeated enemy in war. The laws concerning herem often dictated what could or could not be taken as spoil.;xNLx;Ambush (e.g., Joshua 8:2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 14, 19, 21): A surprise attack by forces concealed in a strategic location. This tactic was used effectively by Joshua, for example, against Ai.;xNLx;Commander of the army of the LORD (Joshua 5:13-15): A divine figure who appeared to Joshua near Jericho, identifying himself as the captain of God's heavenly forces. This encounter underscored that Israel's battles were ultimately the LORD's.;xNLx;Circumcise (Joshua 5:2-8): The ritual removal of the foreskin, a sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. The generation of Israelites born in the wilderness had not been circumcised, and this rite was performed at Gilgal before the conquest began, signifying their renewal of the covenant.;xNLx;Passover (Joshua 5:10-11): The annual feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Its observance at Gilgal marked a significant moment as they entered the Promised Land and ate of its produce.;xNLx;Ark of the Covenant (e.g., Joshua 3:3, 6, 8, 11, 13-14, 17; 4:5, 7, 9-11, 16, 18; 6:4, 6-9, 11-13; 7:6; 8:33; 18:6 [implied]): The sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God's presence, throne, and covenant with Israel. It played a prominent role in the crossing of the Jordan River and the battle of Jericho.;xNLx;Stronghold (e.g., Joshua 10:20; 19:29 ["fortified city"]): A fortified place, such as a city or fortress, offering strong defense.;xNLx;Chariots (Iron Chariots) (e.g., Joshua 11:4, 6, 9; 17:16, 18): War vehicles used by the Canaanites, particularly in the plains, which posed a significant military challenge to the Israelites. Iron chariots represented advanced military technology of the time.;xNLx;Refuge / Cities of Refuge (Joshua 20:1-9; 21:13, 21, 27, 32, 36, 38): Six Levitical cities designated as places where a person who unintentionally killed someone could flee for protection from the "avenger of blood" until their case was lawfully judged.;xNLx;Avenger of Blood (Hebrew: go'el haddam) (Joshua 20:3, 5, 9): The closest male relative of a murder victim who had the right and responsibility to avenge the death by killing the murderer. The cities of refuge regulated this practice.;xNLx;II. Land Allotment and Geographical Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Allotment / Inheritance (Hebrew: nachalah) (e.g., Joshua 11:23; 13:1, 6-8, 14-15, 23-24, 28-29, 32-33; Chapters 13-21 focus on this): The division and distribution of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel as their God-given possession and heritage.;xNLx;Lot (Casting lots) (e.g., Joshua 14:2; 15:1; 16:1; 17:1, 14, 17; 18:6, 8, 10-11; 19:1, 10, 17, 24, 32, 40, 51; 21:4-6, 8, 10, 20, 40): A method used to determine God's will in distributing the land, ensuring a fair and divinely guided apportionment among the tribes and clans.;xNLx;Boundary / Border (e.g., Joshua 1:4; 12:1-7 [summary of conquests]; 13:23, 27; 15:1-12 [Judah's boundaries]; numerous instances in chapters 15-19): The lines or limits defining the territory allotted to each tribe.;xNLx;Levitical cities (Joshua 21:1-42): Forty-eight cities, along with their pasturelands, scattered throughout the territories of the other tribes, which were assigned to the Levites, who did not receive a separate tribal territory as their inheritance. Six of these were also cities of refuge.;xNLx;Pasturelands / Common land (e.g., Joshua 14:4; 21:2, 11-12, and throughout chapter 21): Open land surrounding the Levitical cities, designated for the Levites to graze their livestock.;xNLx;Gilgal (e.g., Joshua 4:19-20; 5:9-10; 9:6; 10:6-7, 9, 15, 43; 14:6): The first Israelite encampment west of the Jordan River after crossing. It served as a base of operations during the early stages of the conquest and was a significant site for covenant renewal (circumcision, Passover). The name means "rolling," referring to God "rolling away the reproach of Egypt.";xNLx;Shechem (e.g., Joshua 8:30-35 [Mount Ebal and Gerizim nearby]; 17:7; 20:7; 21:21; 24:1, 25, 32): An important ancient city in central Canaan, near Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where Joshua led the Israelites in a significant covenant renewal ceremony and where Joseph's bones were buried.;xNLx;Shiloh (e.g., Joshua 18:1, 8-10; 19:51; 21:2; 22:9, 12): The place where the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) was set up after the initial conquest of southern Canaan, and where the remaining land was divided by lot. It became a central sanctuary for Israel for a significant period.;xNLx;Transjordan / Beyond the Jordan (referring to the east side) (e.g., Joshua 1:14-15; 2:10; 4:12; 7:7; 9:1, 10; 12:1-6; 13:8, 27, 32; 14:3; 17:5; 18:7; 20:8; 22:3-4, 7, 10-11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 30-32): The land east of the Jordan River, which was allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.;xNLx;Negev (e.g., Joshua 10:40; 11:16; 12:8; 15:1, 4, 19, 21; 19:8): The arid southern region of Canaan.;xNLx;Shephelah / Lowland / Foothills (e.g., Joshua 9:1; 10:40; 11:2, 16; 12:8; 15:33): The western foothills between the coastal plain and the hill country of Judah.;xNLx;III. Covenantal, Religious, and Leadership Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Covenant (Hebrew: berit) (e.g., Joshua 3:3, 11; 4:7; 6:6, 8; 7:11, 15; 8:33; 9:6-7, 11, 15-16, 18-20; 22:27; 23:16; 24:25): The binding agreement between God and Israel. Joshua emphasizes faithfulness to the covenant made through Moses, including its laws and promises. The book concludes with a significant covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem (Joshua 24).;xNLx;Testimony (Hebrew: eduth) (often referring to the Ark, as in "Ark of the Testimony," e.g., Joshua 4:16, or the laws within it): The stipulations and declarations of the covenant, witnessing to God's will and character. The Ten Commandments are the prime example of the testimony.;xNLx;Statutes and Rules/Judgments (e.g., Joshua 1:7-8; 8:30-35; 22:5; 23:6; 24:25-26): The laws and ordinances given by God through Moses, which Joshua and the people were commanded to observe faithfully.;xNLx;Fear the LORD (e.g., Joshua 4:24; 22:25; 24:14): To hold God in awe and reverence, leading to obedience and respect for His commands.;xNLx;Serve the LORD (e.g., Joshua 22:5; 24:14-24, 31): To worship, obey, and live in exclusive allegiance to Yahweh, the God of Israel.;xNLx;Idols / Other gods / Foreign gods (e.g., Joshua 7:13 [devoted things treated as idols]; 23:7, 16; 24:2, 14-16, 18-20, 23): Images or deities worshipped by the Canaanites and other surrounding nations. Joshua strongly warned against their worship and called for their removal.;xNLx;Sojourner / Stranger (Hebrew: ger) (Joshua 8:33, 35; 20:9): A non-Israelite residing among the Israelites. The law, as reiterated in Joshua, included them in certain covenantal assemblies and provisions (like the cities of refuge).;xNLx;Leader / Officer / Official (e.g., Joshua 1:10; 3:2; 8:10, 33; 23:2; 24:1): Those in positions of authority and responsibility within the tribes and the nation, assisting Joshua in leading the people.;xNLx;Sanctify / Consecrate (Joshua 3:5; 7:13; 20:7 [for cities of refuge]): To set apart for a holy purpose or for God's service. The people were to sanctify themselves before miraculous events like the crossing of the Jordan.;xNLx;Stone(s) of remembrance / memorial (Joshua 4:3-9, 20-24; 24:26-27): Stones set up as visible reminders of God's mighty acts (like the Jordan crossing) or covenant commitments, to teach future generations.;xNLx;Tabernacle / Tent of Meeting (Joshua 18:1; 19:51; 22:19, 29): The portable sanctuary, the center of Israelite worship, which was set up at Shiloh after much of the land was subdued.;xNLx;This list is intended to aid in understanding the specific vocabulary of the Book of Joshua (ESV) within its unique historical and theological setting, thereby enriching the reader's engagement with the text.