The Structure, Meaning, and Function of Josh 2 from an Aural Critical Perspective

Authors

  • Paul Béré Pontificio Istituto Biblico / Roma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/BPTh.2015.023

Keywords

Rahab, Jericho, aural criticism, Joshua

Abstract

The Rahab and spies story in the book of Joshua generated a great deal of studies. Many questions are left unanswered, or unsatisfactorily attended. What makes its parts come together into one? How does it operate within the book? These are some of the question addressed in this short study of Josh 2. It aims to show that the “aural critical” reception of the narrative clarifies a bit more this chapter in its meaning and function. Indeed, it presents to its aural audience three circles organized around the three main characters (Joshua, the King of Jericho, and Rahab) as community leaders. Rahab’s role provides the discerning principle for taking side with Yhwh’s people. Thus, Josh 2 serves as a rationale for the course of action in the following episodes.

References

Assis, Elie, “The Choice to Serve God and Assist His People: Rahab and Yael,” Biblica 85 (2004) 82–90.

Béré, P., Le Second Serviteur de Yhwh: Un portrait exégétique de Josué dans le livre éponyme (OBO 253 ; Fribourg–Göttingen : Academic Press – Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2012).

Béré, Paul, “Auditor in fabula – la Bible dans son contexte oral: Le cas du livre de Ruth, Old Testament Essays 19/3 (2006) 1089–1105.

Bieberstein, Klaus, Josua–Jordan–Jericho: Archäologie, Geschichte und Theologie der Landnahmeerzählungen Josua 1–6 (OBO 143; Fribourg–Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 1995).

Boneva, Krassimira, «La puissance du croire dans l'établissement d'un contrat selon le livre de Josué (chapitre 2)», Sémiotique Biblique 101 (2001) 42–49.

Briend, Jacques, «Une épopée de fiction: Josué 2.6–12», dans : Comment la Bible saisit-elle l'histoire? (Lectio Divina 215; Paris, Les Éditions du Cerf, 2007) 57–71.

Butler, Trent C., Joshua 1–12 (WBC 7A; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2014).

Carr David, “Mündlich-Schriftliche Bildung und die Ursprünge Antiker Literaturen,” in H. Utzschneider–E. Blum (ed.), Lesearten der Bibel. Untersuchungen zu einer Theorie der Exegese des Alten Testaments (Stuttgart: Kohlhammer 2006) 183–198.

Carr, David, Writing on the Tablet of the Heart. Origins of Scripture and Literature (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2005).

Hall, Sarah L., Conquering Character. The Characterization of Joshua in Joshua 1–11 (LHB.OTS 512, New York/London, T&T Clark, 2010).

Horsley R.A., Text and Tradition in Performance and Writing (Biblical Performance Criticism 9; Cascade Books 2013).

Mayordomo-Marín Moisés, Den Anfang hören. Leseorientierte Evangelienexegese am Beispiel von Matthäus 1–2 (FRLANT, 180) 166–170.

Nelson, Richard, Joshua. A Commentary (OTL; Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press 1997).

Noort, Ed (ed.), The Book of Joshua (BETL 250; Leuven–Paris–Walpole, MA: Peeters 2012).

Sicre, José Luis, Josué (Pamplona: Editorial Verbo Divino 2002) 102–119; Trent C. Butler, Joshua 1–12 (WBC 7a; Zondervan 2014).

Toorn, Karel van der, Scribal Culture and the Making of the Hebrew Bible (Harvard University Press: Cambridge, MA/London, UK, 2007).

Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia

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Published

2016-03-29

How to Cite

1.
BÉRÉ, Paul. The Structure, Meaning, and Function of Josh 2 from an Aural Critical Perspective. Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia. Online. 29 March 2016. Vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 11-21. [Accessed 26 December 2025]. DOI 10.12775/BPTh.2015.023.

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 4 (2015): The Book of Joshua

Section

Articles

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