"Three days" in Joshua 1-3: Resolving a chronological conundrum

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dec 1998 by Howard, David M

My second assumption-that the sequential ... in 1:11; 2:22; 3:2 (and 3:1) are truly sequential-needs some defense because of the phenomenon discussed in print first by William J. Martin, known as dischronologized narrative.39 As discussed by Martin and others, this refers to what is known in most languages as the pluperfect of the verb whereby two sets of actions are in view, both in the past but one further in the past than the other, such as in the sentence "Mary had gone to the bank by the time she arrived home." In Hebrew this is most commonly expressed via the q.tal verb form.4" But the pluperfect also can be expressed-less commonly-via the wayyiqto form (although this point is disputed).41

The possibility should be considered, then, that the verbs in 3:1-which tells of Joshua's and the people's actions in moving from Shittim to the edge of the Jordan-might be read as pluperfects, as dischronologized narrative. If so, v. 1 would read as follows: "Now Joshua had arisen early in the morning and had set out from Shittim." Thus the events in chap. 3 would be introduced by this "resumptive flashback," alerting the reader that the threeday period in 3:2 is the very same one as in 1:11.42

Despite the fact that I accept the notion of the wayyiqtol as pluperfect in some contexts,43 however, none of the verbs in 1:11, 2:22, 3:1 or 3:2 can be legitimately read this way. By its very nature this special pluperfect is identified only by contextual considerations, and I have shown how the contexts for the two key passages (1:11; 3:2) are different: The prepositions describing the two three-day periods are clearly different, and so are the instructions to the people as to what they are to do. Thus I read each wayyiqtol in the relevant verses in its usual, past-time, sequential function.

V. THE CHRONOLOGY SUMMARIZED

The chronology and the activity in Joshua 1-3, as I have argued for them here, are as follows.

1. Day one. Joshua gave instructions to the officers that they should prepare the people for march within three days (1:10-11). Sometime during this or the next day the officers went through the camp with the instructions to prepare provisions, which would have thus given them adequate time (1-2 days) to prepare for the journey that would begin on day four. The execution of the command, however, is unrecorded.

Also on day one Joshua sent out two spies into Jericho (2:1). The spies arrived at Rahab's house, hid, and then escaped sometime that night into the hills. The end of the hours of darkness constitutes the first of the three days of hiding mentioned in 2:22.

Furthermore on day one Joshua spoke to the Transjordan tribes about their responsibilities to be at one with the rest of Israel during the taking of the land of Canaan (1:12-15).

Finally all Israel44 answered and affirmed Joshua in his role as their leader (1:16-18).

2. Day two. The spies continued hiding in the hills (2:22). Presumably the people were beginning their preparations for the journey to cross the Jordan.