Joshua (born Hoshea; Heb.:"salvation") was the son of Nun, of the Tribe of Ephraim. He was an Israelite leader in Ephraim who was selected as successor of Moses by God. He served as an aide to Moses during the 40 years of journeying through the wilderness. He became the leader of the armies of Israel, and theocratic judge, in Canaan, the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. As an eyewitness to the conquest, he would have a hand in documenting these battles. The resulting document became the book of Joshua.