Difference between revisions of "Purpose of the Spies in Yehoshua 2/2"

From AlHaTorah.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
Line 10: Line 10:
 
<p>The spies were sent to gauge the low morale of the Canaanites, and thereby boost the confidence of the Israelite fighting force.</p>
 
<p>The spies were sent to gauge the low morale of the Canaanites, and thereby boost the confidence of the Israelite fighting force.</p>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Ralbag #2</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:1</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-14" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:14</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>,<fn>Ralbag raises two different readings of the verses.&#160; See below for his understanding that the spies mission was military in nature.</fn>&#160; <multilink><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:1</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-14" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:14</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink></mekorot>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Ralbag #2</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:1</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-14" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:14</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>,<fn>Ralbag raises two different readings of the verses.&#160; See below for his understanding that the spies mission was military in nature.</fn>&#160; <multilink><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-1" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:1</a><a href="RalbagYehoshua2-14" data-aht="source">Yehoshua 2:14</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink></mekorot>
<point><b>The spies' report</b> – This position is supported by the fact that the spies' report focused exclusively on the fear of the Canaanites and did not include any useful military information.&#160;</point>
+
<point><b>The spies' report</b> – Ralbag supports his claim from the fact that the spies' report focused exclusively on the fear of the Canaanites and did not include any military information. &#160; Nonetheless, if the purpose was to encourage the nation, it is surprising that the report was given only to Yehoshua.&#160; Ralbag might repsond that</point>
<point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – Ralbag compares the mission to Gidon's visit to the Midyanite camp in , whose sole purpose was similarly to instill confidence.</point>
+
<point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – Ralbag compares the mission to Gidon's visit to the Midyanite camp in <a href="Shofetim7-9-15" data-aht="source">Shofetim 7</a>, whose sole purpose was also only to instill confidence.</point>
 +
<point><b>"חֶרֶשׁ"</b></point>
 
<point><b>Why visit Rachav?</b></point>
 
<point><b>Why visit Rachav?</b></point>
 
<point><b>Why sleep over?</b></point>
 
<point><b>Why sleep over?</b></point>

Version as of 02:12, 22 June 2016

Purpose of the Spies in Yehoshua 2

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Morale Boosting Mission

The spies were sent to gauge the low morale of the Canaanites, and thereby boost the confidence of the Israelite fighting force.

The spies' report – Ralbag supports his claim from the fact that the spies' report focused exclusively on the fear of the Canaanites and did not include any military information.   Nonetheless, if the purpose was to encourage the nation, it is surprising that the report was given only to Yehoshua.  Ralbag might repsond that
Biblical parallels – Ralbag compares the mission to Gidon's visit to the Midyanite camp in Shofetim 7, whose sole purpose was also only to instill confidence.
"חֶרֶשׁ"
Why visit Rachav?
Why sleep over?
Purpose of red cord
House in the wall?
Conditions of oath

Military Mission

The spies were sent on a military mission