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The Siege of Jericho and the Strategy of the Exodus. BY K. T. FROST, M.A., F.R.G.S., CAIRO. No event in the history of the Jewish people has During the period of the shepherd kings, the influenced their character so profoundly or has Hebrews, one of the nomad tribes from across the appealed so strongly to their imagination as the Syrian border (then, as now, ‘ an abomination unto Exodus. It was to them an indisputable proof the Egyptians,’ on whom they prey), were given a that they were a peculiar people ; and through all tract of land on the edge of the desert, but watered the changes and chances of their history they have by a canal. Subsequently, in the i gth dynasty been strengthened and comforted by the reflexion Rameses n. needed a fortified storehouse and that God Himself brought them with a mighty hand arsenal to serve as a base for his Syrian warns ; he and with an outstretched arm out off the House of therefore called out the corvee, as he had already Bondage to the Land of Promise, there to accom- done in most parts of Egypt, and as, indeed, was plish His purpose in the world. It was inevitable the universal practice in such case until the that the chroniclers should love to enumerate signs English occupation. But these sons of the desert, and wonders, but the less we attribute to super- unlike the fellahin, incapable of continuous work natural power the more wonderful does the story of any kind, and detesting all settled employment, become. It shows us the development of the began to murmur, and to bring forward a hundred Hebrews from an oppressed tribe into a fierce and excellent reasons why they should do less work. martial nation, with civil and religious institutions The local effendi thereupon applied the stick, the far in advance of its contemporaries, even Egypt only argument which would have had the slightest and Babylon. V’e see how a subject race was led effect. Then it seems that the Jews joined with to a country suitable to its temperament and the Libyan invaders, but were defeated and sternly excellent for its training; how the climax of that repressed, so that their lot became harder than training, which progressed steadily but surely, was before.’ reached in the crossing of a deep river and the So far the narrative is perfectly simple ; indeed, capture of a fortified town. To regard the taking similar events might have taken place in Egypt of Jericho as a miracle of which the Jews were but even within living memory. The whole situation passive spectators, is to spoil the dramatic unity of changes with the coming of Moses. The story is the of the and to the lessons no one of the disaffection of an obscure story Exodus, ignore longer , of the wanderings : for the Jewish victory forms tribe, but the beginning of a movement that was to the psychological as well as the historical link influence the history of mankind. It was not by between the Exodus on the one hand, and the chance or by a sudden impulse that Moses selected Judges and the subsequent monarchy on the the Sinai peninsula as the first place of refuge for other. It is not surprising, therefore, that to those the Hebrews. He already knew the country well, who disregard the order of events, the literal and had married the daughter of one of the account is due to ’editorial manipulation.’ On sheikhs. Doubtless he was aware of the Egyptian the other hand, the tendency of modern archaeology settlement at Sarabit el Khadem, and may have is to verify the old traditions of Egypt, Crete, and visited the abandoned mines of the early empire at Greece, and especially the facts recorded by the Wady Maghara. Especially he had recognized Jewish historians. The distinction, however, must that that grim, mountainous region would form an always be observed between the facts recorded and ideal training-ground for the Hebrews, who were the deductions or explanations offered by the really a half-desert race, and brave and resolute chroniclers. The very definite account, then, enough at heart, but not yet broke to the matter that is given of the siege of Jericho demands at of war.’ There they would have to fight man and least serious attention ; and in order to judge it in nature for dear life ; but the struggle would not be the light of contemporary history it will be neces- beyond their strength, for the Sinai Bedawin are to consider the essential facts of the sary oppression, I not so fierce as those of Syria, and sparse as the the escape from Egypt and the sojourn in Sinai. 1 See the so-called Israel stele’ in the Cairo Museum.

Downloaded from ext.sagepub.com at UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO LIBRARIES on March 15, 2015 465 herbage is, there are more fertile spots hidden the direct north-east road to Sinai, round the most away between the awful and barren mountains northern arm of the Red Sea, and reached Etham. than at first seems possible. Once there, no escape But by this time the Egyptians had resolved on could be made till they had developed the strength pursuit : Moses., seeing that he would be overtaken, to fight their way into the land of Canaan. It halted, wheeled back past Pithum, and boldly would be a true education. Meanwhile, till a struck south-east straight across the desert for the favourable moment should come, Moses would north-west shore of the Gulf of Suez, just as wait in the desert, reforming and directing the Ababdeh might escape at the present time from worship of Jehovah, and training the men to arms. fellahin, surmising that the latter’s dread of the desert With this resolve he entered on the thankless task would immediate The manceuvre I prevent pursuit. of saving his people. The first step was one of was completely successful ; and the Egyptians great difficulty, namely, to bring his still undis- stopped, saying, ’The wilderness hath shut them ciplined host out of Egypt in spite of the Egyptian in’ (Ex 14 3). This incident must come from a government. In this connexion there are two nearly contemporary account; no post-exilic scribe points to be noted : first, that the three days’ could have show~1 such practical knowledge of the journey into the wilderness,’ which is so often difference between the Egyptian proper and even mentioned, is very likely, as Professor Petrie con- the semi-nomads of the border. jectures, the journey from rliyun Moussa to Wady Then the garrison from Tanis swept down, and Gherundel, which is the next good watering-place. the combined forces, including six hundred picked Three days would be needed for the whole host to chariots, pursued the Israelites and took them by accomplish that stage, and once at ivady Gherundel surprised This force was strong enough to over- they would be practically safe from pursuit. whelm the Jews had not Moses seen the possibilities Secondly, it is probable that throughout the negotia- I of the Red Sea passage, possibilities which by bold tions for the departure ’ Pharaoh ’ is used to express leading and good fortune were realized to the full. the royal government impersonated by the local Apparently there was a very low tide ; and in those governor, and that it was his daughter who adopted days the sea came much farther north than at Moses. Mineptah, the Pharaoh of the Exodus, present, as shells and other indications prove. was far away at Thebes, and was certainly not Even now the tide is sometimes so low at Suez, at drowned in the Red Sea. On the other hand, the the spring equinox, that it is clear that any shallow governor of Pithom would necessarily have been in reaches higher up would certainly be left dry for a close touch with the Hebrews, and would have had short time, especially if the wind was favourable. the unenviable duty of being responsible for their The crossing of the host, however, would take industry and behaviour. some time, and an attack by the Egyptian soldiers The impracticability of the direct route past El during the operation would be fatal: so we read in Arish and the Wall of the Egyptians’ was obvious, Ex t:~l~ that the pillar of cloud went from before their and the lack of food and water on the desolate, face and stood behind them. Now, the accepted though fairly level, pilgrim route from Suez to translation of Pi-hahiroth, where the Israelites were Akaba would have entailed terrible loss and encamped, is ’ place of sedge.’ Probably, therefore, suffering to a host encumbered with women and the passage shows that the Israelites set fire to the children, flocks and herds. Besides, the Hebrews reeds so that the smoke and flame might be driven would be in no condition to fight the tribes between Akaba and the Dead Sea ; it would be 1 This seems the simplest rendering of Ex I47, ’And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of necessary to train them gradually before they Even six hundred chariots is a large number to could to overcome the Bedawin of that Egypt.’ hope collect at such short notice, and quite enough for the purpose. region. So the traditional route to the Jebel The number stated is interesting, for Professor Petrie has Moussa, or possibly the Jebel Serbal, was probably shown in a course of lectures last summer, describing his the one actually followed, and the account given season’s work in Sinai, that the number of fighting men in in Numbers with the conditions Israel who went up out of Egypt must have been 600, and not agrees excellently His estimate is confirmed of the 600,000. by Egyptian inscriptions present day. recording the number of men sent to fight the Bedawin, and First, however, the fugitives had to escape from also the character of the country makes the traditional Egypt. To accomplish this they made a dash for number impossible.

Downloaded from ext.sagepub.com at UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO LIBRARIES on March 15, 2015 466 against the Egyptians by the ‘ strong east wind,’ able city of Heshbon; Og, king of Bashan, fared and frighten the horses, while it screened their no better, and Nu 31I records the spoiling of own movements. Meanwhile the passage was the Midianites ; no mean achievement when we safely accomplished, and when the Egyptians tried, consider the fierceness of the Jordan Bedawin. too late, to overtake the fugitives the wind changed, The organization and efficiency of the Jewish army and the incoming tide thus urged on would indeed may be judged from the fighting instructions left have resembled a wall of water as it rushed up the by their veteran leader, and in view of the taking narrow channel. The Egyptians were overwhelmed, of Jericho, his directions for prolonged sieges and the Israelites were safe at last. Then began the are significant, while his advice not to cut down long period of wandering and fighting. It is not the fruit trees almost seems as though he had in necessary, or indeed possible, in an article such as mind Jericho, ’the city of palms.’ this to follow the journeyings step by step and Moses had thus established his people firmly identify all the sites enumerated; if we wish to on the left bank of the Jordan, ready to cross understand the siege of Jericho it will be more the river at short notice, deal a swift blow at the helpful to fill in the main outlines and to remember heart of the country, and then roll up the opposing that we are watching the schooling of the Hebrews armies north and south.’ Then, within sight of for their great enterprise, watching the growth of the land which he had striven to reach so long, the soul of a nation. The fight with the Amalekites Moses died, content, as befitted an Egyptian probably recalls the attack made by the Bedawin prince, to know that his work would live, and on the invaders when they realized that the that the conquest would be achieved, though not Hebrews meant to stay more or less permanently by him. ’And no man knoweth his sepulchre.’ in the land. Probably the possession of the Wady Joshua was admirably fitted for the stern work of Feiran, the most fertile spot in the peninsula, was conquest. Little of a prophet or idealist, he was the immediate cause of the battle. After a hard a bold leader, earnest and simple-hearted, who struggle the Israelites were victorious, and it seems in the hour of victory kept his own personality as if before their final invasion of Palestine they in the background and ascribed all to the glory had absorbed some of the neighbouring tribes. of God. He was essentially a man of action, At last an attack on Canaan was thought feasible, resolute, swift, and sure. Nowhere are his great and spies were sent out; but the report they qualities more conspicuous than in the siege of brought back and the reception given to it in the Jericho. No sooner were the days of mourning camp showed plainly enough that the task was as for Moses ended than he gave orders for a sudden yet too great. Conclusive proof was given by crossing of Jordan, which he hoped to accomplish the defeat suffered immediately afterwards near within three days. The Bible narrative is as Hormah in a stubborn but premature attempt on definite as it is familiar. Events follow each other the part of the minority to- prove their military in quick succession till the grand climax is reached prowess. So, to the sorrow of all, the journeying at the sound of the trumpets. As soon as the began again. Soon after the discontent that was spies had accomplished their mission, the whole felt in part of the host broke out in the rebellion of force, including Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The outbreak was of Manasseh, advanced to the east bank of the ruthlessly suppressed, but a fresh demonstration at Jordan. The river was crossed in a manner Aleribah finally convinced Moses that the reforma- recalling the passage of the Red Sea. This tion for which he was labouring could not be passage is discussed at length in the E~rc~~clv- accomplished till the younger generation which g5sdfia l3rl~lr’c‘a (see ‘ Jericho’) by Dr. Cheyne, who had been born in the desert had grown up, and considers that the story must be founded on fact, that he himself would never lead them into the and quotes an Arabic MS. in Paris which records promised land. Thus it is evident that the the complete damming of the Jordan on 8th people were not merely awaiting a miracle, or December 1267, owing to the fall into the river apparently even expecting one, but were steadily 1 The Egyptians had the country before, their power. After a while ravaged shortly developing fighting and had left it much exhausted. Traces of this exhaustion met with considerable success. defeated they They are seen in the poverty of the spoil captured by the Jews. Sihon, king of the Amorites, and took the redoubt- Only once is gold asserted to have been found.

Downloaded from ext.sagepub.com at UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO LIBRARIES on March 15, 2015 467 of a lofty mound which overlooked it from the into the city, every man straight before him,’ west. Whatever the exact manner of crossing I seems to imply that the storming parties were may have been, the accomplishment of this ready at their posts. The falling of the walls at difficult operation alarmed the citizens no lessJ the sound of the trumpet would thus form the than it encouraged the Jews, and the city was fitting and dramatic end of a difficult and dan- straightly shut up.’ Then came a period of gerous operation carried to a triumphant conclusion apparent inaction, during which Joshua made a by the grace of God and the devotion of His careful reconnaissance in person, met the captain people. of the Lord’s host,’ and saw in a flash of genius There is no evidence that directly supports this our inspiration his plan of campaign. Within a theory. On the other hand, there is no evidence few days Jericho was stormed, and that in so I against it : it is not confronted with any technical sudden and startling a manner that throughout or historical difficulty, and parallels are easily .all history the siege has stood as a thing apart, found;’1 lastly, it enables us to receive a clear to be scorned as a fabrication, tolerated as an i statement of fact in Old Testament history which allegory, or cited as a proof of Divine intervention. we mustB)therBuse either modify or reject. Mining Dr. Cheyne, in the W rcvclo~~dr~a Biblic(7, dismisses was a plan of attack well known to the Egyptians,2 the Biblical account as the work of a late writer, and if any place were likely to familiarize the and even remarks that only by supernatural means Hebrews further with the idea, it would be the could the untrained host of Joshua capture a Sinai peninsula, where in many districts the rocks fortified city.’ But does not the epithet ’un- are tunnelled for turquoise or copper.3 The trained’ beg the whole question? «e have seen mining would be the first incident to disappear how the Israelites progressed from strength to from both the priestly and popular account ; but strength until they captured the redoubtable city even from the ethical point of view the narrative -of Heshbon (Nu 21). Far from being un- gains in dignity if the victory was due not to trained, the host of Joshua was composed of Divine intervention on behalf of a shiftless ’ folk, veterans flushed with victory, and who for two but to the fact that while Joshua and his people generations had been making ready to conquer put their trust in God, they were also strong and their heritage. Further, the statement that Rahab very courageous.’ ‘ dwelleth in Israel even unto this day,’ suggests 1 the incorporation of a nearly contemporary For the device of mining while the attack on the city in the com- document. It is true that the walls of Jericho was apparently being pressed ordinary manner, pare the siege of Acre when the Christians were finally an obstacle than presented greater any driven out of Palestine. For the dramatic effect, a native that a had hitherto been encountered, but tower that had to be destroyed in the Tirah campaign, was special effort was made, and the emergency was mined with gunpowder and blown up at the sound of four met. bugles. The Times remarked it was like the siege of it was not noticed that the converse might also Let us consider that the daily march of the Jericho : be true. round the walls was a feint to divert besiegers 2 See Tomb of Anta, published by Professor Petrie, attention from the main attack, and that mean- Deshasheh. The besiegers are driving a mine, and one of while mines were being driven beneath the fortifi- the defenders lays his ear near the ground, and is trying to cautions by the Israelites not in one place only, locate the exact spot. 3 The mines at Wady to but from several at once. If we read the turquoise Maghara belong periods points anterior to the Exodus: those at Sarabit are in some with this consideration in mind the whole long story cases about contemporary. In both cases they are tunnels account becomes intelligible. in the rock : they were fully explored last year (I905) by The silence of the first six days would mystify Professor Petrie and Mr. C. T. Currelly for the Egypt and further alarm the defenders, and the great shout Exploration Fund. They are worked by the Bedawin to-day, and flint instruments seem to show that the same and the blare of trumpets would be the precon- was the case in the earliest times. There are many other certed to the to knock or signal sappers away traces of workings farther east. It is highly probable that set fire to all the supporting beams simultaneously. during their long stay the Jews worked some of the The statement, too, that ‘ the people went up numerous sites.

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