Joshua (Apollos Old Testament Commentary | AOT)
Overview
The Bible is both a divine and a human book. It is the inspired word of God for his people, whether in biblical times or for the church today. It is also a fully human book, written by different people in a variety of cultural settings. Knowledge of biblical language and society is essential if the meaning of the human writer is to be grasped fully. The Apollos Old Testament Commentary aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. In this volume, Pekka Pitkänen shows the relevance of Joshua to modern readers. While he remains anchored in the world of the text throughout the commentary, Pitkänen brings contemporary geopolitical issues (like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) to bear on Joshua and the genocidal “Israelite conquest tradition.”
Top Highlights
“Sabbath. It is not usual to think that a battle would be fought on a Sabbath, but this seems to be the intended meaning of the narrative. This, together with the role of the ark, the priests and the trumpets, apparently emphasizes the holiness of the event of conquering Jericho. The ban (herem; see v. 17 below) further emphasizes this holiness and special character of the event of the first conquest in Canaan, and perhaps the analogy of the devotion of firstfruits to Yahweh can also be called to mind (see e.g. Exod. 23:19; Lev. 23:9–22; Num. 18:12–13).” (Page 158)
“The later canonical documents of course (Hebr. 11:31; Jas 2:25) like to emphasize Rahab’s decision as a religious choice.” (Page 125)
“Yahweh himself is circling the town, as he is present at the ark according to the Old Testament” (Page 158)
“included considerations about ancient Greco-Roman biographies” (Page 50)
- Title: Joshua
- Author: Pekka M. A. Pitkänen
- Series: Apollos Old Testament Commentary
- Volume: 6
- Publishers: Apollos, IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2010
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Joshua › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781844744770, 9780830825066, 1844744779, 0830825061
- Resource ID: LLS:AOT06JOS
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-01-20T00:49:55Z
