For many people, what is known of the book of Joshua could be summarized by one verse of the African-American spiritual: Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, And the walls came a-tumbling down. If pressed, Rahab also might be mentioned as a contributing character. There is some truth in this portrayal. Joshua is a main character, and the battle of Jericho one of the book’s pivotal events, but it is a sad reduction of the