Joshua 2 is the secondchapter of theBook of Joshua in theHebrew Bible or in theOld Testament of theChristianBible.[1] According to Jewish tradition, the book was attributed toJoshua, with additions by the high priestsEleazar andPhinehas,[2][3] but modern scholars view it as part of the Deuteronomistic History, which spans thebooks of Deuteronomy to2 Kings, attributed to nationalistic and devotedly Yahwistic writers during the time of the reformer Judean kingJosiah in 7th century BCE.[3][4] This chapter focuses on the spies sent byJoshua toJericho and their encounter withRahab,[5] a part of a section comprising Joshua 1:1–5:12 about the entry to theland of Canaan.[6]
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter inHebrew are of theMasoretic Text tradition, which includes theCodex Cairensis (895),Aleppo Codex (10th century), andCodex Leningradensis (1008).[7] Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among theDead Sea Scrolls including XJoshua (XJosh, X1; 50 BCE) with extant verses 4–5.[8][9][10] and 4Q48 (4QJoshb; 100–50 BCE) with extant verses 11–12.[8][9][11][12]
Extant ancient manuscripts of a translation intoKoine Greek known as theSeptuagint (originally was made in the last few centuries BCE) includeCodex Vaticanus (B;B; 4th century) andCodex Alexandrinus (A;A; 5th century).[13][a] Fragments of theSeptuagint Greek text containing this chapter is found in manuscripts such asWashington Manuscript I (5th century CE), and a reduced version of the Septuagint text is found in the illustratedJoshua Roll.[15][16]
The narrative in this chapter seems to be an interruption, but actually provides a background material for the stories of the crossing of the Jordan River and the Battle of Jericho.[19] The sending out of spies follows Moses's example (Numbers 13, Deuteronomy 1:21–23; cf. Joshua 7:2–3),[19] but unlike the earlier mission, which had resulted in failure to take the promised land because of fear (Numbers 13–14), this time the spies encouraged the people to march forward (verse 24; contrast Numbers 13:31–33).[20]Rahab becomes the center of the narrative, being the only named person in the whole story,[19] and practically in control of the whole actions in the narrative: she provides the spies information, protection and advice for their safety, whereas the spies, the king of Jericho and his officers were as passive objects.[21]
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, namedRahab, and lodged there.[22]
"Shittim": identified as modern "Tell el-Ḥammām", on the eastern bank of Jordan river, opposite Jericho.[23] Here it is written in the same short form as in Numbers 25:1, not in the longer form as in Numbers 33:49.[24]
Rahab's confessions of faith (verses 8–11) encouraged the spies of God's promise (cf. Exodus 23:27; Numbers 22:3), as she reminds them of the victories in Transjordan as evidencethat they will succeed in Canaan (Deuteronomy 3:21-2), and therefore she demands the life of herself and her family to be 'dealt kindly' (Hebrew:hesed; verse 12) with the expected loyalty in a covenant relationship (cf. 1 Samuel 20:8).[20] The spies agrees, swearing on their own lives to guarantee those of Rahab and family (verse 14,19), provided she does not 'tell this business of ours' (verses 14, 20), in spite of the Holy War concept which demands the killing of every people in Jericho (Deuteronomy 2:32–37; 7:1–5; 20:16–18).[20]
And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”[25]
"Business of ours" refers mainly to the activities of the spies, not the imminent conquest, as the latter is a common knowledge among all Canaanites (verses 9–11).[26]
^abGilad, Elon.Who Really Wrote the Biblical Books of Kings and the Prophets?Haaretz, June 25, 2015. Summary: The paean to King Josiah and exalted descriptions of the ancient Israelite empires beg the thought that he and his scribes lie behind the Deuteronomistic History.
^Rösel, Martin (January 1, 2002). "The septuagint-version of the book of Joshua".Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament.16 (1):5–23.doi:10.1080/09018320210000329.S2CID161116376 – via Taylor and Francis+NEJM.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Codex Sinaiticus".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.