Joshua Ch. 2 is the middle of a section of a larger unit (Ch. 1-4) that makes up the first part of the book of Joshua. In a word, this first unit of four chapters can be entitled: The Narrative of the Entry of Israel into the Land. As Rav Yehudah Kil notes in his commentary to Joshua, our section focuses on the second part of that narrative: the spy mission initiated by Joshua and its consequences. This section was carefully analyzed by the greatest of commentators and received special attention in the writings of the Malbim.
This essay before you is divided into two parts. The first will analyze the structure, key themes and ideas of the various parts of this chapter and in its own context. The second part will move on to explore the deeper connections between this chapter and Parashat Shelach beyond the general statement that both deal with spy missions…
This originally appeared in Milin Havivin vol 1. To read the full article, click here.
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