Joshua - Chapter 4

1. Is the symbolism of the 12 stones directed toward history or toward performance mandate (there were 12 stones which were prominent in the closing chapters of D'varim as well)?

The verse certainly suggests the stones were for historical purposes. Verse 6 says “When your children ask ‘what are these stones to you’, you shall answer…”. This is similar language to the verses we read about Teffilin – that they should serve as a sigh for your children and prompt discussion.

2. Verse 14 synopsizes the experience. Does it stress the miraculous or does it stress the impact upon the "leadership"? And, the verb construct "Va'yiru" can be translated either as "feared? or "were in awe of." Would this make any difference in terms of the relationship to Joshua?

I think it stresses the miraculous – the first “miracle” Joshua performed was parting the waters – that was previously Moses’ thing. By doing that God and Joshua demonstrated for the entire nation that God was in fact with Joshua just as God was with Moses. By doing that God “exalted Joshua in the eyes of all Israel”.

However, you can also look at this in terms of leadership. Being able to move 40,000 Jews across a river in short order is no easy task. When the people saw he was able to do that, they accepted him as a capable leader. Of course, I would say being able to move 40,00 Jews like that is, in and of itself, miraculous – so I stand by my original answer ;)

3. What is the tenth day of the first month?

Just prior to the exodus from Egypt, God tells Israel to start counting the months with the month of the exodus. So, the tenth day of the first month should be the 10th of Nisan.
However, tradition puts Moses’ death on the 7th of Adar. Chapter 34 of Deuteronomy says Israel mourned Moses 30 days, bringing us to the 8th of Nisan – which would be the date of the start of Joshua. Chapter 2-16 says the spies spent at least 3 days on their expedition (maybe more), and Chapter 3-2 lists at least 3 days passing. That brings us to at least the 13th of Nisan – which is close, but slightly off from the date given.

The Hebrew calendar wasn’t fixed (with set number of days per month) until close to 2000 years later, so perhaps in those days Adar had a few extra days, but 6 or more days seems hard to account for.

Or, perhaps, this first month refers to the first month of Joshua’s rule. Crossing the sea happening 10 days after he “takes over” seems to fit the timeline. The bible often talks about the “5th year of the rule of king X”, so perhaps this means the “10th day of the first month of Joshua’s rule.”

I’ll add this to my list of possible thesis topics if I ever go back to school for Jewish studies.

4. The verses beginning with 20 indicate the avowed significance of the "12 stones" and show a relationship with the earlier "water experience" -- and indicate Who is the Hero, in the final analysis.

Despite Joshua being the face of the story, these verses make it clear that God is clearly the actor. Just as God was the actor in all the miracles performed at Moses’ hand, he continues to be the actor for Joshua (and beyond).

Favourite Quote : “So that all the people of the earth would know the hand of God, that it is mighty, so that you would fear Hashem, your God, all the days.” – verse 24