Ben Sira 46:1-8

1 Joshua son of Nun was a great soldier and the next of the prophets after Moses. He lived up to the meaning of his name as the great deliverer of the Lord's chosen people. He defeated the enemies that attacked them, so that Israel could claim its land. 1
2 How magnificent it was when he raised his arm and then led the attacks on the cities!
3 No one could stand up to him; he was fighting a holy war for the Lord.
4 Remember how he held back the sun and made one day as long as two?
5 When his enemies were threatening him from every side, he prayed to the mighty Lord Most High, and his prayer was answered with a hailstorm of devastating force.
6 The Lord hurled the hail down on the enemy and destroyed them at the pass at Beth Horon, so that the nations would realize how strong Joshua was, since he was fighting as a devoted follower of the Lord.
7 Joshua was loyal as long as Moses lived, both he and Caleb son of Jephunneh. They stood up to the whole community, made them stop their ungrateful complaining, and kept them from sinning. 2
8 Out of the 600,000 Israelites who marched through the wilderness, these two were the only ones spared and allowed to enter the rich and fertile land that was to be theirs.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 46.1-6Joshua 1.1--11.23.
  • 2. 46.7-10Numbers 14.6-10; 11.21;Joshua 14.6-11.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. joshua: [This name in Hebrew means "the Lord saves."]
  • [b]. [Hebrew] no one . . . to him; [Greek] No one before had ever been so brave.
  • [c]. [Probable text] The Lord hurled . . . enemy; [Greek unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.