Best Commentaries on Joshua

Though written at an intermediate level, Hess’s commentary is largely accessible to all readers. Longman notes that with expertise on Ancient Near Eastern literature and Israelite history, Hess “defends the essential authenticity of the historical memory of the book.”

Hubbard explores ethical and archaeological questions about Joshua, outlining Israel’s entry into the land and addressing moral concerns over ethnic cleansing and divinely-mandated warfare. Hubbard navigates these issues while making the book relevant to a wide audience.

Howard’s commentary is well-researched and methodical, “adopt[ing] a relatively conservative approach to the history that is particularly admirable in this age of skepticism,” according to Longman. Howard’s approach is squarely in the evangelical lane and suited for the advanced preacher or scholar.

Davis’s work effectively unpacks and applies the narrative of Joshua to the present day, making it an ideal resource for pastors seeking to make the story of Israel’s entry into the land relevant for their congregations.

Jackman’s writing reveals a pastoral heart. His commentary will help pastors guide their churches in reading and understanding Joshua. He encourages his readers to trust God’s promises and obey his commands so we can enjoy all the blessings God has for his chosen people.

Woudstra’s relatively technical work is largely directed at those proficient in the biblical language, but many of the technicalities surface in the footnotes and not the main text. This commentary can be consulted piecemeal or read in its entirety.

Butler’s revised work provides deep exegetical and philological insights on the book of Joshua. His conclusions are evangelical, but much of this text is challenging given the series layout and Butler’s academic interests.

McConville and Williams engage with Joshua from the dual standpoints of systematic and biblical theology. This results in a commentary that is not as much a word-by-word explanation of the text, but a paragraph-by-paragraph engagement that dredges the book’s theological weight in its canonical context.