While recent Old Testament scholarship has seen a steady rise in the prominence of narrative approaches to the text, little such work has been done on the book of Joshua. This book offers a narrative treatment of the conquest accounts, with specific attention given to the characterization of Joshua. The method employed is eclectic, including poetic analysis, structural study, delimitation criticism, comparative literary analysis, and intertextual reading. Joshua's characterization has received inadequate scholarly attention to date, largely because he is seen as a pale character, a mere stereotype in the biblical history. This two-dimensional reading often leads to the conclusion that Joshua is meant to represent another character in the history. But this approach neglects the many aspects of Joshua's character that are unique, and does not address the text's presentation of his flaws. On the other hand, some scholars have recently suggested that Joshua's character is significantly flawed. This reading is similarly untenable, as those features of Joshua's leadership that it portrays as faulty are in fact condoned, not condemned, by the text itself. Close examination of the conquest narratives suggests that Joshua's character is both complex and reliable. To the degree that Joshua functions as a paradigm in the subsequent histories, this paradigm must be conceived more broadly than it has been in the past. He is not merely a royal, prophetic, or priestly figure, but exercises, and often exemplifies, the many different types of leadership that feature in the former prophets.
Sarah Lebhar Hall is an adjunct lecturer for Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
I. Introduction This chapter addresses textual issues, related research, methodology, Deuteronomistic theory, and the characterization of Joshua in Joshua 1-11. II. Commissions: Joshua 1:1-18 Joshua 1 serves as both a retrospective and prospective text, and introduces several key facets of Joshua's character. III. Interloper or Integral Introduction?: Joshua 2:1-24 When considered in the context of the broader exodus narrative, the function of the Rahab episode becomes clear, and recent allegations of Joshua's timidity or renegade diplomacy in this affair thus fail to persuade. IV. The Crossing: Joshua 3:1-4:24 This chapter argues for the coherence of Joshua chapters 3 and 4, and then highlights several characteristic features of Joshua's authority which are evident in this story. V. Closure: Joshua 5:1-12 The Gilgal narrative, with its many enigmatic, controversial features, has a primarily retrospective role in the narrative, and highlights Joshua's authoritative, but surrogate, role in the exodus.VI. Theophany Interrupted?: Joshua 5:13-6:5 This chapter considers the difficult structural question of the relationship between 5:13-15 and 6:1-5, and outlines the effect of this issue on the matter of Joshua's legitimacy as Israel's leader. VII. "Joshua Fit de Battle": Joshua 6:1-27 Joshua's leadership at Jericho is best understood in relation to ancient near eastern warfare, the regulations of the Torah, and the conventions of prophetic leadership. VIII. Trouble and the Troubler: Joshua 7:1-26 This chapter analyzes Joshua's leadership in the Ai/Achan affair, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of his response to the crisis at Ai.IX. Equilibrium Restored: Joshua 8:1-35 After the dramatic defeat and subsequent success at Ai, Joshua 8 paints a picture of Joshua's military leadership, his contribution to Israel's national memory, and his role in the complicated account of the recitation at Mount Ebal.X. Neglect and Recovery: Joshua 9:1-27 This chapter considers Joshua's involvement in Israel's mistaken treaty with the Gibeonites.XI. On Light and Might: Joshua 10:1-43 Joshua 10 records Joshua's extraordinary instructions to the sun, his military success, and the collaborative nature of his leadership in the exodus/conquest venture.XII. Complete Finish: Joshua 11:1-23 After an enigmatic opening statement, Joshua 11 proceeds to give a picture of the intimate relationship between divine and human leadership, which includes a subtle critique of monarchy. XIII. Retrospect and Prospect A cohesive reading of Joshua 1-11 suggests the possibility of significant and purposeful artistry on the part of those involved in the final edition of the Masoretic Text. Upon close examination, several difficult features of the text prove capable of
‘Throughout, Hall's writing is clear and engaging, not burdened with impenetrable jargon but expounding the issues helpfully for the non-expert and arguing persuasively for worthwhile conclusions... this work is an important contribution that no commentator on Joshua will be able to overlook.'
