Crossing the Jordan: Diachrony Versus Synchrony in the Book of Joshua

This book presents a test case for diachronic and synchronic approaches in Joshua 3-4. Lee introduces the synchronic readings of Polzin, Hawk and Winther-Nielsen, as well as their attempts to uncover the problems in applying their methods to this complicated text. He then investigates the differences between the MT and the LXX of Joshua 3-4 through text critical analysis and reconstructs the Hebrew Vorlage of LXX - Joshua 3-4 considering divergences between major Greek editions; and examines the limitations of Polzin's synchronic study in reading only from the final text of the MT. For the purpose of reading the literary history of Joshua 3-4 in a diachronic way, Lee considers what position this text holds in the setting of the wider context of the ark narratives and water-crossing stories in the Old Testament, e.g. the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 13.17-14.31 and with Elijah and Elisha crossing the river in 2 kings 2. He examines the recent trends in literary criticism and attempts to trace the most probable literary history of Joshua 3-4.

• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Abbreviations
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Synchronic Readings of Joshua 3-4
• Chapter 3: Polzin and Text Critical Analysis on Joshua 3-4
• Chapter 4: Reading Joshua 3-4 as Part of Developing Ark Narrative
• Chapter 5: Reading Joshua 3-4 in the Context of Exodus 13.17-14.31 and 2 Kings 2
• Chapter 6: The Literary History of Joshua 3-4
• Chapter 7: Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Index