Who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites?

Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites.

In the Hebrew Bible, Joshua was Moses’ assistant and a member of the Israelite generation that left Egypt. He first becomes prominent as one of the 12 spies sent to scout Canaan. Joshua and Caleb gave an encouraging report, while the other spies warned against entering the land. Because of their faithfulness in the biblical account, Joshua and Caleb were the only members of that generation permitted to enter the Promised Land.

Before Moses’ death, Joshua was publicly appointed as his successor. The Book of Joshua begins with God commissioning him to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River and into Canaan. Its narrative then describes campaigns including the capture of Jericho and the distribution of territory among the tribes.

Joshua is not the same person as Aaron, Moses’ brother and the first high priest. Samuel lived later and served as a prophet and judge, while Caleb was Joshua’s fellow spy and companion rather than his successor.