יהושע, פרק י״א, פסוק י״ח

The conquest of Canaan was not a rapid military operation. Although earlier events might give the impression of lightning-fast victories, the campaigns actually spanned a long period. Unlike previous battles—such as the decisive strike against the five kings, which was won in a single, continuous effort before the army returned to the camp at Gilgal—the conflict against the remaining kings of the land dragged on for years. While the history of these battles is summarized briefly, the reality was a deeply prolonged struggle [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Beneath this factual timeline lies a layer of criticism regarding Joshua's leadership. According to this perspective, the extended duration of the war was not merely a military necessity, but the result of intentional delay. Joshua knew that his destiny, as promised by God, was to secure and divide the land for the Israelites. He reasoned that once the conquest was complete and the land distributed, his mission would end and he would die. In an effort to prolong his own life, he deliberately slowed the pace of the fighting [רש״י, רלב״ג, רד״ק].

This hesitation stands in complete contrast to the behavior of his teacher, Moses. When God commanded Moses to fight the Midianites and informed him that he would die immediately afterward, Moses did not delay for a single moment. Instead, he urgently gathered the people to go to battle right away. Because Joshua attempted to stall the military campaign to buy himself more time, he faced a severe consequence. Ultimately, God's plan always prevails, and Joshua was punished by having ten years removed from his lifespan [רד״ק].