Joachim J. Krause, «Aesthetics of Production and Aesthetics of Reception in Analyzing Intertextuality: Illustrated with Joshua 2», Vol. 96 (2015) 416-427
That intertextuality has come into vogue in Hebrew Bible scholarship is hardly surprising given some general trends in the field. In fact, the reconstruction of redactional activity and 'Fortschreibung' as well as inner-biblical interpretation are heavily dependent on the perception of intertextual relationships. But therein lies the problem. Has the perceived relationship indeed been established by the author of one of the biblical texts in question (aesthetics of production), or does it merely lie in the eye of the beholder (aesthetics of reception)? Two competing claims regarding an intertextual relationship of Joshua 2 are singled out for discussion.
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419 AESTHETICS OF PRODUCTION AND AESTHETICS OF RECEPTION 419
1. A Reversal of the Spy Episode in Numbers 13–14: How Canonical
Readers Respond to Joshua 2
Joshua 2 occupies a prominent position. At the point when Joshua
sends two spies to Jericho, Israel is finally ready to conquer Canaan. A
new generation of hope stands at the threshold of the promised land 9. In
this narrative context, canonical readers can hardly help but recall another
mission. Like a déjà-vu, Joshua’s sending of spies evokes Moses’ sending
of spies from Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13–14, par. Deut 1,19-46). Once
again, Israel stands at the threshold of the Promised Land. Will they forfeit
it a second time? They do not. Thus, in the eyes of canonical readers, the
spy mission of Joshua 2 might seem to present itself as a reversal of the
spy mission of Numbers 13–14.
Taking into account the firm evidence for the late, post-priestly prove-
nance of Joshua 2 that has been presented recently 10, such a response to
the narrative could commend itself even further. Indeed, a growing num-
ber of scholars argue that Joshua 2 has been composed to function as
counterpart of Numbers 13–14. Thus, they posit an intertextual reference
through which Joshua 2 alludes to Numbers 13–14 and, according to
some, to Deut 1,19-46 11. Without doubt, this juxtaposition of the two
9
Cf. D.T. OLSON, Numbers (Louisville, KY 1996) 85; see also ID., The
Death of the Old and the Birth of the New. The Framework of the Book of
Numbers and the Pentateuch (BJSt 71; Chico, CA 1985).
10
The ground has been broken by J. VAN SETERS, In Search of History.
Historiography in the Ancient World and the Origins of Biblical History (New
Haven, CT – London 1983) 325; ID., “Joshua’s Campaign of Canaan and
Near Eastern Historiography”, SJOT 4 (1990) 3-4. For further studies that
build on Van Seters’ work, see E. BLUM, “Beschneidung und Passa in Kanaan.
Beobachtungen und Mutmaßungen zu Jos 5”, Textgestalt und Komposition.
Exegetische Beiträge zu Tora und Vordere Propheten (ed. W. OSWALD) (FAT
69; Tübingen 2010) 221-223; E.A. KNAUF, Josua (ZBK.AT 6; Zürich 2008)
46-47; V. HAARMANN, JHWH-Verehrer der Völker. Die Hinwendung von Nicht-
israeliten zum Gott Israels in alttestamentlichen Überlieferungen (AThANT
91; Zürich 2008) 126-127; and KRAUSE, Exodus und Eisodus, 146-152.
11
E. ASSIS, From Moses to Joshua and from the Miraculous to the Ordi-
nary. A Literary Analysis of the Conquest Narrative in the Book of Joshua
(Jerusalem 2005) 58-66 (Hebrew). Assis draws on the unpublished disserta-
tion of G. HAUCH, Text and Contexts. A Literary Reading of the Conquest
Narrative (Jos 1–11) (Princeton 1991). For similar approaches, see also J.F.
CREACH, Joshua (Louisville, KY 2003) 40; J.E. HARVEY, Retelling the Torah.
The Deuteronomistic Historian’s Use of Tetrateuchal Narratives (JSOTSup 403;
London – New York 2004) 43, 45, 66; A.G. AULD, Joshua. Jesus Son of Naue
in Codex Vaticanus (Septuagint Commentary Series 1; Leiden – Boston, MA