Joshua - Chapter 2

1. Why do the commentators at times translate "isha zonah" not as a prostitute but as one who "dispenses mazon," that is, "restauranteur"? What makes them "restive"?

From content, you easily come to the conclusion that the woman was a prostitute, but because of the merit of her actions the commentators chose to portray her in a more flattering light.

2. How does verse 9 clearly indicate that the role of the woman is not that of a "menial" but represents a crucial actor/character/ personality in the unfolding of sacred history?

Jericho is the first city being conquered, these 2 spies are the first of the Israelites to cross the Jordan, and this woman is the first person in the city the spies spoke to. Yet she knows “that God has given you (Israel) the land”. If the goal of the 10 plagues in Egypt and the splitting of the Sea of Reeds was to announce for the world to hear that HaShem is the one and only god, then this woman confirms that the world got the message (even if they don’t listen to it).

3. How does one have a residence "within the wall" and what does that teach about the construction of ancient cities and, as well, the location of certain types of "enterprises"?

The wall was clearly not just a wall as we know it, but clearly thick enough to contain dwellings and businesses. Clearly those living in the wall would be is the most dangerous position is the city ws to be attacked, so you would assume that would be the “low rent” district, which generally attracts the seedy underbelly of society – like prostitiues (see Q1 above)

4. How does the report of the "spies" (23/24) compare with the report of the 12 that had been sent by Mosheh -- in intent, and in "style"?

You could say that by this time the Israelites had come to have some faith in God. The heavily fortified city didn’t scare them, like it did when Moses sent spies 40 years before. The reported back, with confidence, than G-d had already delivered the land - land all they had to do was take it. This is in sharp contrast to the spies in Moses’ time (see my pervious post)

Favourate Quote: "We heard and our hearts melted... for Hasehm, your God, He is God in the heavans above and on the earth below." - Verse 11