The Battle of Gibeon

excerpt from Joshua and the Promised Land
by Roy H. May, Jr.

According to biblical tradition, so determined was Yahweh, through Joshua's army, to protect the unwalled villages against the cities that miraculous giant hailstones fell on the Amorites. Then, to extend the number of hours for the battle and assure an Israelite victory, time was extended by making the sun and the moon stand still (vs. 12-13)! In biblical accounts about Yahweh, the Divine Warrior often used miracles to achieve victory. Of course the original meaning of this ancient poem is obscure. However, as part of ancient tradition it emphasized the importance that the defense of the Gibeonites had for Yahweh. The biblical account emphasizes that Yahweh sided with villagers, not kings.

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