Book of Joshua (Samaritan)
Encyclopedia
The Samaritan Book of Joshua is a Samaritan
chronicle, written in Arabic. It is so called because the greater part of it is devoted to the history of Joshua
. It was published from an Arabic manuscript written in the Samaritan alphabet
, with a Latin
translation and a long preface by T. W. Juynboll (Leyden, 1848). Though based on the Hebrew canonical
Book of Joshua
, it differs greatly from the latter in both form and content. The author, who was of a much later period, amplified the Biblical narratives by weaving into them legends of a later date
and developing the narratives themselves
, at the same time altering certain statements in accordance with Samaritan views on history. It is divided into fifty chapters, and contains, after the account of Joshua, a brief description of the period following Joshua, agreeing to that extent with the Book of Judges
. Then follow histories of Nebuchadnezzar
, Alexander the Great, and the revolt against Hadrian
; it ends with an incomplete account of Baba Rabba
.
Ch. xlv.-l. give accounts of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Mausil (Mosul), Alexander the Great, the revolt against Hadrian, the high priests 'Aqbon and Nathanael, and Baba Rabba
.
, who, it is supposed, obtained it from the Egyptian Samaritans in 1584. Later, it was studied by Johann Heinrich Hottinger
, who described it in his Exercitationes anti-Morinianæ (1644, pp. 109-116) and in his Smegma Orientale (1657). Two other manuscripts (in the British Museum
and at Trinity College, Cambridge
) have since come to Europe. An English translation of Juynboll's text has been made by O. T. Crane ("The Samaritan Chronicle or Book of Joshua," New York, 1890). Contrary to Reland, Juynboll (preface to his edition) concluded that the Samaritan Joshua was the work of one author, who did not live later than the thirteenth century, basing his conclusion on the fact that Abu al-Fath, who wrote in 1355, drew from it much material for his own chronicle. It is also quoted by Maqrizi (d. 1441). Juynboll further concluded that the author compiled the work from four sources—one Hebrew-Samaritan
(the basis of the first twenty-four chapters) and three Arabic. The Hebrew-Samaritan source is based upon the Septuagint translation of Joshua. A Hebrew résumé of the story of Shaubak (ch. xxvi.-xxxvii.) was inserted in Abraham Zacuto
's Sefer Yuhasin by Samuel Shullam
, who declared that he found it in a Samaritan chronicle (Sefer Zikronot shel Kutim), where it is said to have been taken from a Jewish Midrash. It is evident that Shullam saw it in an Arabic work, probably the Samaritan Book of Joshua, for he reads "Yaniah" instead of "Nabih," a change possible only if the original was in Arabic characters. Samuel Shullam's résumé was copied afterward by ibn Yahya
, in his "Shalshelet ha-Kabbalah," and by Reuben Hoshke, in his "Yalqut Re'ubeni" (section "Devarim").
Samaritan
The Samaritans are an ethnoreligious group of the Levant. Religiously, they are the adherents to Samaritanism, an Abrahamic religion closely related to Judaism...
chronicle, written in Arabic. It is so called because the greater part of it is devoted to the history of Joshua
Joshua
Joshua , is a minor figure in the Torah, being one of the spies for Israel and in few passages as Moses's assistant. He turns to be the central character in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Joshua...
. It was published from an Arabic manuscript written in the Samaritan alphabet
Samaritan alphabet
The Samaritan alphabet is used by the Samaritans for religious writings, including the Samaritan Pentateuch, writings in Samaritan Hebrew, and for commentaries and translations in Samaritan Aramaic and occasionally Arabic....
, with a Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
translation and a long preface by T. W. Juynboll (Leyden, 1848). Though based on the Hebrew canonical
Tanakh
The Tanakh is a name used in Judaism for the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The Tanakh is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra. The name is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters of the Masoretic Text's three traditional subdivisions: The Torah , Nevi'im and Ketuvim —hence...
Book of Joshua
Book of Joshua
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and of the Old Testament. Its 24 chapters tell of the entry of the Israelites into Canaan, their conquest and division of the land under the leadership of Joshua, and of serving God in the land....
, it differs greatly from the latter in both form and content. The author, who was of a much later period, amplified the Biblical narratives by weaving into them legends of a later date
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
and developing the narratives themselves
Aggadah
Aggadah refers to the homiletic and non-legalistic exegetical texts in the classical rabbinic literature of Judaism, particularly as recorded in the Talmud and Midrash...
, at the same time altering certain statements in accordance with Samaritan views on history. It is divided into fifty chapters, and contains, after the account of Joshua, a brief description of the period following Joshua, agreeing to that extent with the Book of Judges
Book of Judges
The Book of Judges is the seventh book of the Hebrew bible and the Christian Old Testament. Its title describes its contents: it contains the history of Biblical judges, divinely inspired prophets whose direct knowledge of Yahweh allows them to act as decision-makers for the Israelites, as...
. Then follow histories of Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar was the name of several kings of Babylonia.* Nebuchadnezzar I, who ruled the Babylonian Empire in the 12th century BC* Nebuchadnezzar II , the Babylonian ruler mentioned in the biblical Book of Daniel...
, Alexander the Great, and the revolt against Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
; it ends with an incomplete account of Baba Rabba
Baba Rabba
Baba Rabba, literally "The Great Gate", was one of the greatest of the Samaritan high priests. He is believed to have lived during the late third and early fourth century AD....
.
Contents
- Ch. i.: The author claims to have translated the following narratives from the Hebrew.
- Ch. ii.: MosesMosesMoses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
appoints JoshuaJoshuaJoshua , is a minor figure in the Torah, being one of the spies for Israel and in few passages as Moses's assistant. He turns to be the central character in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Joshua...
as his successor, investing him with royal power. - Ch. iii.: Account of BalaamBalaamBalaam is a diviner in the Torah, his story occurring towards the end of the Book of Numbers. The etymology of his name is uncertain, and discussed below. Every ancient reference to Balaam considers him a non-Israelite, a prophet, and the son of Beor, though Beor is not so clearly identified...
and the King of MoabMoabMoab is the historical name for a mountainous strip of land in Jordan. The land lies alongside much of the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. The existence of the Kingdom of Moab is attested to by numerous archeological findings, most notably the Mesha Stele, which describes the Moabite victory over...
(comp. Num. xxii. 2-41). - Ch. iv.: Balaam advises the King of Moab to draw the IsraeliteIsraeliteAccording to the Bible the Israelites were a Hebrew-speaking people of the Ancient Near East who inhabited the Land of Canaan during the monarchic period .The word "Israelite" derives from the Biblical Hebrew ישראל...
s into lust and thus cause their destruction (comp. Num. R. xx. 23). - Ch. v.: Moses sends Joshua and PhinehasPhinehas-Biblical figures:*Phinehas, son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the High Priest*Phinehas, son of the High Priest Eli. He was a priest at Shiloh, and died when the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant-Other :*Pinchas, the 41st weekly Torah portion....
to the war with the Midianites (comp. Num. xxxi. 2 et seq.). Following the account of the fall of Jericho (Josh. vi.), the author relates that the walls of Midian's stronghold fell at the blast of the trumpets. Balaam, found in the Midianite temple speechless from terror, was killed by the soldiers in spite of Joshua's desire to take him alive before Moses. - Ch. vi.-viii.: Moses' death; his testament; the mourning of the Israelites over him.
- Ch. ix.-xii. (written in the same strain as the first chapter of the canonical Book of Joshua): Joshua's activity; his organization of the army and preparations for the invasion of CanaanCanaanCanaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
. - Ch. xiii.: The sending of the spies to JerichoJerichoJericho ; is a city located near the Jordan River in the West Bank of the Palestinian territories. It is the capital of the Jericho Governorate and has a population of more than 20,000. Situated well below sea level on an east-west route north of the Dead Sea, Jericho is the lowest permanently...
. Imitating the Biblical account of the Gibeonites (comp. Josh. ix. 4 et seq.), the writer says that the spies, who knew several languages, disguised themselves as travelers, telling those they met that, having heard of the exploits of Joshua, they had come from a distant land for the sake of further information about him. At Jericho, suspected of being spies, they hid themselves in the house of RahabRahabRahab, was, according to the Book of Joshua, a woman who lived in Jericho in the Promised Land and assisted the Israelites in capturing the city...
. The remainder of the chapter follows the canonical version. - Ch. xiv.-xvii.: The Israelites cross the Jordan River (as in Josh. iii.); Joshua's song, an imitation of the song of MosesSong of MosesThe Song of Moses in this article relates to the name sometimes given to the poem that appears in Deuteronomy of the Hebrew Bible written/orated just prior to Moses' death atop Mount Nebo....
in Ex. xv. 1-19; account of the fall of Jericho. - Ch. xviii.: Achan is discovered to have taken possession of some of the accursed things. Here the account differs from that in Josh. vii.; there is no mention of the Israelites being defeated at AiAi (Bible)Ai refers to one or two places in ancient Israel:*A city mentioned along with Heshbon by Jeremiah 49:3, whose location is currently unknown, and which may or may not be the same as:...
; but the gem in the high priestKohenA Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron....
's breastplate that bore the name of Judah having become dim, it was known that one of that tribe had sinned. The wedge of gold stolen by Achan is said to have weighed 2,250 shekels. - Ch. xix.: An account of the Gibeonites, similar to that in Josh. ix.,except that only three Gibeonite cities are mentioned, ChephirahChephirahChephirah is one of four towns named in Joshua 9:17 along with Gibeon, Beeroth, and Kiriath-Jearim. The context is a story explaining a peace treaty between the Israelites and the natives of this region...
being omitted. - Ch. xx.-xxiii.: The continuation of the war and the partition of the land. Joshua sends surveyors to divide the land into ten parts, assigning to the Levites forty-eight cities, which are to be taken from the other tribes. Joshua dismisses the two and a half tribes whose allotment was east of the Jordan, appointing Nabih ("Nobah" in Num. xxxii. 42), son of GileadGileadIn the Bible "Gilead" means hill of testimony or mound of witness, , a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, situated in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It is also referred to by the Aramaic name Yegar-Sahadutha, which carries the same meaning as the Hebrew . From its mountainous character...
, king over them; they number 110,580. - Ch. xxiv.: The surveyors having returned, Joshua assigns to the tribes their respective lots. He then founds the city of SamariaSamariaSamaria, or the Shomron is a term used for a mountainous region roughly corresponding to the northern part of the West Bank.- Etymology :...
and builds a temple on Mount GerizimMount GerizimMount Gerizim is one of the two mountains in the immediate vicinity of the West Bank city of Nablus , and forms the southern side of the valley in which Nablus is situated,...
(comp. Josh. viii. 30). - Ch. xxv.: Description of the prosperous state of the Israelites after the partition of the land, over which peace reigns for twenty years.
- Ch. xxvi.-xxxvii. give a long account of the war between Joshua and the league formed by Shaubak (Shobach), King of Persia. Shaubak, desiring to avenge the death of his father, HammamHammamA Turkish bath is the Turkish variant of a steam bath, sauna or Russian Bath, distinguished by a focus on water, as distinct from ambient steam....
, who has been killed in battle with the Israelites, enters into a league with all the neighboring kings, who decide to wage war with Joshua. Shaubak first sends an ambassador with a minatory letter to Joshua, who thereupon consults the assemblySanhedrinThe Sanhedrin was an assembly of twenty-three judges appointed in every city in the Biblical Land of Israel.The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme court of ancient Israel made of 71 members...
as to the steps to be taken. The ambassador is amazed at the splendor with which Joshua is surrounded and at the dignity and order with which Joshua administers justice. He returns with Joshua's answer, that the Israelites are prepared for the war, and attempts to dissuade Shaubak from his design. Shaubak, however, encouraged by his mother and by the MagiMagiMagi is a term, used since at least the 4th century BC, to denote a follower of Zoroaster, or rather, a follower of what the Hellenistic world associated Zoroaster with, which...
, marches to the war with an immense army. Joshua, arrived with his army at 'AyalonAjalonAjalon was a place in the lowland of Shephelah in the ancient Land of Israel, identified today as Yalo at the foot of the Bethoron pass, a Palestinian Arab village located southeast of Ramla in the West Bank. Its name is Hebrew for "place of gazelles".The place may have been the site of several...
, one of the enemy's cities, is enclosed by seven iron walls, called into existence by magic. At Joshua's prayer a dove appears, and by it he sends a letter to Nabih, who marches with a great army against Shaubak. The latter is defeated. At the shouting of Nabih's soldiers the walls about Joshua disappear. - Ch. xxxviii.-xliii.: After a reign of forty-five years Joshua dies, and is buried at Kafar Ghawirah (comp. Josh. xxiv. 30); account of his appointment of his successors and of the prosperous state of Israel during the ensuing period of 260 years—the "days of satisfaction" ("ayyam al-ridha" or "yeme ha-ratzon"). For the original legend concerning Shaubak, see SotahSotahSotah deals with the ritual of the Sotah - the woman suspected of adultery as described and prescribed in the Book of Numbers in...
viii. 1, 42b, with reference to II Sam. x. 16, 18. - Ch. xliv. contains an account of the division under Eli and of the period of sin ("aldhalal" or "fanuta").
Ch. xlv.-l. give accounts of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Mausil (Mosul), Alexander the Great, the revolt against Hadrian, the high priests 'Aqbon and Nathanael, and Baba Rabba
Baba Rabba
Baba Rabba, literally "The Great Gate", was one of the greatest of the Samaritan high priests. He is believed to have lived during the late third and early fourth century AD....
.
The Manuscript
The manuscript from which Juynboll prepared his edition was the property of Joseph Justus ScaligerJoseph Justus Scaliger
Joseph Justus Scaliger was a French religious leader and scholar, known for expanding the notion of classical history from Greek and Ancient Roman history to include Persian, Babylonian, Jewish and Ancient Egyptian history.-Early life:He was born at Agen, the tenth child and third son of Italian...
, who, it is supposed, obtained it from the Egyptian Samaritans in 1584. Later, it was studied by Johann Heinrich Hottinger
Johann Heinrich Hottinger
Johann Heinrich Hottinger was a Swiss philologist and theologian.- Life and works :Hottinger studied at Geneva, Groningen and Leiden. After visiting France and England he was appointed professor of church history in his native town of Zürich in 1642...
, who described it in his Exercitationes anti-Morinianæ (1644, pp. 109-116) and in his Smegma Orientale (1657). Two other manuscripts (in the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
and at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
) have since come to Europe. An English translation of Juynboll's text has been made by O. T. Crane ("The Samaritan Chronicle or Book of Joshua," New York, 1890). Contrary to Reland, Juynboll (preface to his edition) concluded that the Samaritan Joshua was the work of one author, who did not live later than the thirteenth century, basing his conclusion on the fact that Abu al-Fath, who wrote in 1355, drew from it much material for his own chronicle. It is also quoted by Maqrizi (d. 1441). Juynboll further concluded that the author compiled the work from four sources—one Hebrew-Samaritan
Samaritan Hebrew language
Samaritan Hebrew , is a reading tradition for Biblical Hebrew as used by the Samaritans for reading the Samaritan Pentateuch. Its pronunciation is highly similar to that of Samaritan Arabic, used by the Samaritans in prayer.-Orthography:...
(the basis of the first twenty-four chapters) and three Arabic. The Hebrew-Samaritan source is based upon the Septuagint translation of Joshua. A Hebrew résumé of the story of Shaubak (ch. xxvi.-xxxvii.) was inserted in Abraham Zacuto
Abraham Zacuto
Abraham Zacuto was a Sephardi Jewish astronomer, astrologer, mathematician and historian who served as Royal Astronomer in the 15th century to King John II of Portugal. The crater Zagut on the Moon is named after him....
's Sefer Yuhasin by Samuel Shullam
Samuel Shullam
Samuel Shullam was a Jewish physician and historian who flourished in the second half of the 16th century. He was of Spanish descent, and after an adventurous life went to Constantinople, where he was supported by Kiera , who stood high in favor at the court of the sultan...
, who declared that he found it in a Samaritan chronicle (Sefer Zikronot shel Kutim), where it is said to have been taken from a Jewish Midrash. It is evident that Shullam saw it in an Arabic work, probably the Samaritan Book of Joshua, for he reads "Yaniah" instead of "Nabih," a change possible only if the original was in Arabic characters. Samuel Shullam's résumé was copied afterward by ibn Yahya
Gedaliah ibn Yahya ben Joseph
Gedaliah ibn Yahya ben Joseph was a talmudist born at Imola, Italy. He studied in the yeshibah at Ferrara under Jacob Finzi and Abraham Rovigo and Israel Rovigo. In 1549 he settled in Rovigo, where he remained until 1562, in which year the burning of the Talmud took place in Italy...
, in his "Shalshelet ha-Kabbalah," and by Reuben Hoshke, in his "Yalqut Re'ubeni" (section "Devarim").
Resources
- Gottheil, Richard and M. Seligsohn. "Joshua, The Samaritan Book of." Jewish EncyclopediaJewish EncyclopediaThe Jewish Encyclopedia is an encyclopedia originally published in New York between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. It contained over 15,000 articles in 12 volumes on the history and then-current state of Judaism and the Jews as of 1901...
. Funk and Wagnalls, 1901-1906, citing: - Juynboll, The Samaritan Book of Joshua, Preface;
- R. Kirchheim, Karme Shomeron, pp. 55-91, Frankfort-on-the-Main, 1851;
- Nutt, A Sketch of Samaritan History, pp. 119-124, London, 1874.