Textual Formation
excerpt from Joshua and the Promised Land
by Roy H. May, Jr.
The editor of the Book of Joshua wove together ancient accounts of the Hebrews' struggle for land. Some of these might have been written in documents that have been lost. For example, the Book of Jashar is mentioned in Joshua 10:13. There probably were earlier editions of the book. Most likely the main sources were folklore. Other sources, especially songs and rituals (such as Joshua 10:12), are believed to have been used in religious rites conducted at different shrines. In this sense, the book is a collection of very old stories and songs that have been re-worked into a single account. Since the shrines of Shiloh, Gilgal, and Shechem are prominent in the book, it is assumed that the religious ceremonies and traditions associated with them influenced the book's formation.
Over all, the story has the character of a heroic saga or legend. "Saga" is a term "for brief imaginative stories of simple plot and few characters, set in a traditional past and lacking documentation, that recount the deeds of ancestors or leaders in overcoming great difficulties."(10) The heroic quality comes from its larger-than-life portrayal of past events and persons that are believed to have had a formative role in shaping the present. Legends "focus on the religious qualities and gifts of the central figure and aim to edify the reader."(11) "Etiological" stories also are incorporated into the book. This kind of story explains something's origin, such as a place, a name, or a custom, often by linking it to a hero or previous, legendary event.(12) The exploits of Joshua and the Israelite army reflect these characteristics of legends, sagas, and etiological stories.
These literary resources were skillfully drawn into a single, believable account. The material was already well-known to the readers. This made the story authoritative and meaningful. The use of Deuteronomic theology and Exodus parallels integrates the diverse accounts. This was the means that served important political and religious ends in a time of exile. The heroic quality and powerful theology were inspirational. They reinforced commitment and resolve in the face of great difficulty. This was a story that moved people to act. It still does.
10. Gottwald, The Hebrew Bible, p. 98. (return to text)
11. Ibid. (return to text)
12. J. Alberto Soggin, Joshua: A Commentary, The Old Testament Library (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1972), p. 10. (return to text)
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