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 236 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

of the "Hexateuch" which includes the first six titles in the library of biblical writings. Although we have set aside the Book of Joshua in favor of Judges, it is well to scrutinize the former narrative quite closely at this point in order to bring out the real nature of the settlement by means of the sharp contrast between the rival versions.

The Book of Joshua consists of two parts, a glowing account of a successful attack by Israel upon the land of Canaan (chaps. 1-12), and an account of the division of the land by lot among the victors (chaps. 13-24). According to this treatise, the con- quest was achieved by a military organization composed of the fighting-men of all the Israelite clans. The commanding gen- eral was Joshua, the successor of Moses. The campaign was short and sharp, and the victory magnificent and sweeping. Miraculous help from Yahweh in heaven was given the invad- ing army. The line of approach from the eastern wilderness lay through the river Jordan, which was then at flood stage. As the priests, bearing the ark of Yahweh, entered the swirling waters there was opened before them a wide path straight across the river. Through this avenue the host of Israel marched on dry land, the waters rising like walls on both sides of them. They passed around the city of Jericho Seven times, after which the walls of the city fell flat. The city was taken, and "utterly destroyed," both man and beast (6:21). From Jericho the campaign passed on to the city of Ai, where the soldiers of Joshua completely exterminated the inhabitants (8:26). And now, the kings of Canaan, greatly alarmed, effected a coalition and put a mighty army in the field against the invaders. The ensuing battle, of course, went in favor of Israel. Great stones rained from heaven upon the Canaanites. The sun and the moon stood still. The clock of time was put back. The forces of the universe were held in check until the army of Joshua had completed its terrible work. After the Canaanite army had been thus put out of the field, the destruction of the cities of the land was resumed ( 10:28 ff). Makkedah, Lachish. Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir — these and other ancient cities were taken and their inhabitants were destroyed. "So Joshua smote all the land,