Joshua succeeded Moses as the Israelites’ leader in the Old Testament.
The transition is described especially in Deuteronomy and the opening chapters of the Book of Joshua. Moses commissions Joshua before Moses dies, and God then commands Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan River into the land of Canaan.
Joshua had already appeared as Moses’ assistant and as one of the twelve spies sent to survey Canaan. He and Caleb were the two spies who gave a favorable report, while the other spies discouraged the people.
A common confusion is to identify Aaron as Moses’ successor. Aaron was Moses’ brother and the first high priest in the biblical narrative, but Joshua receives the leadership role for the next stage of Israel’s journey. The Book of Joshua records his campaigns and settlement activities.