Joshua 13-24: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary

The book of Joshua chronicles the conquest of the Canaanite nations, the distribution of the newly acquired land to the twelve tribes of Israel, and the development of a pan-Israelite identity. Thomas B. Dozeman's commentary provides an overview of critical debates surrounding the composition, function, and role of geography in ancient literature. He shows how the book originated as an independent Samarian myth and evolved into an Israelite origin story.

Format: Hardback
Length: 440 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2024
Publisher: Yale University Press

The book of Joshua, which follows the Pentateuch in the traditional canon, chronicles the conquest of the Canaanite nations, the distribution of the newly acquired land to the twelve tribes of Israel, and Joshua's death at the conclusion of the covenant ceremony at Shechem. The second half of the book explores the development of a burgeoning pan-Israelite identity as the tribes receive territorial assignments, form a political league, and unite in the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

In his two-volume commentary on the book of Joshua, Thomas B. Dozeman provides an overview of critical debates surrounding the composition of the book, its function in relationship to the Pentateuch and the Former Prophets, and the role of geography in ancient literature. He demonstrates how the book of Joshua originated as an independent Samarian myth of tribal conquest and land distribution and evolved into its role as an Israelite origin story. The volume includes a thorough introduction and a new translation of these twelve chapters, exploring how the book of Joshua employs the twin themes of genealogy and geography to underscore both unity and difference among the tribes, conveying ancient Israelite beliefs about ownership, identity, and power.

The book of Joshua is a significant text in the Hebrew Bible, as it outlines the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land and their establishment as a nation. It also provides a narrative of the Israelites' obedience to God's commandments and their victory over their enemies. The book of Joshua is divided into two parts: the first half chronicles the Israelites' conquest of the land of Canaan, while the second half describes the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel.

One of the key themes of the book of Joshua is the importance of obedience to God's commandments. The Israelites are repeatedly told to trust in God and to follow his instructions, and they are rewarded for their obedience with victory over their enemies. The book also emphasizes the importance of unity among the Israelites, as they are able to conquer the land of Canaan only through their collective strength and cooperation.

Another important theme of the book is the role of geography in shaping the Israelites' identity and destiny. The book describes the various regions that the Israelites conquered, including the cities of Jericho, Ai, and Bethel. These cities were significant in the Israelites' history, as they were the sites of important battles and the locations of important religious ceremonies.

The book of Joshua also provides a narrative of the Israelites' encounter with the Canaanites, who were the inhabitants of the land before the Israelites arrived. The Canaanites were often depicted as fierce and warlike, and the Israelites were required to engage in warfare in order to conquer their land. However, the book also shows that the Canaanites were not completely defeated, and they continued to play a role in the Israelites' history and culture.

In conclusion, the book of Joshua is a powerful and inspiring text that provides a narrative of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land and their establishment as a nation. It emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commandments, unity among the Israelites, and the role of geography in shaping their identity and destiny. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in studying the Hebrew Bible and the history of ancient Israel.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300265408