Figure 6.1 Jericho Neolithic Tower Jericho was a fortified city as early as the eighth millennium B.C.E., attested by this defensive tower. From the east Jericho was the gateway to Canaan and the first city Joshua and the Israelites attacked.

Key Terms Ai Ark of the Covenant Etiology Gibeon Gilgal Habiru Hazor Holy War Jericho Joshua Lots Rahab Shechem

Palestine was the object of conquest for thousands of years. As the land bridge linking the African and Asian continents it was highly desirable for military and economic reasons. Past conquerors include the Egyptians, Hittites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, and the Turks. Jews living in Palestine asserted their independence from the British in 1948 and founded the modern state of Israel.    The book of Joshua is the story of how the Israelites entered the land of Canaan in order to create a homeland. Under the leadership of Joshua, the descendants of Jacob, now called the Israelites, entered Canaan and began to settle there. The book of Joshua picks up the story where Deuteronomy left off--with the death of Moses. It exhibits both historical and thematic continuity with the Torah. One of the central themes of the Pentateuch was the promise of land, and the book of Joshua details the actualization of this promise.     The book of Joshua consists of three major sections. Chapters 1-12 contain stories of military confrontations with Canaanites resulting in victory for the Israelites. Chapters 13-21 delineate Canaanite territories that were distributed among the twelve tribes of Israel. Chapters 22-24 wrap up the book with Joshua bidding farewell to the Israelites. Figure 6.2 Book of Joshua

ToC | Reading the Old Testament

. . . Chapter 6. Joshua | ToC