Who's Who of the Bible (eBook)

2 The History Books

The books of Joshua to Esther are known as the ‘history books’ of the Old Testament. They record the events from the time Joshua leads the Israelites into Canaan until they return to Jerusalem and the city walls are rebuilt under Ezra and Nehemiah. During this period Israel becomes a nation with its own king. Then the nation divides and they war with other nations. The people are exiled and at the point of despair, but a remnant returns and future hope is re-established. Spiritually, the nation has its ups and downs but covenant renewal (i.e. the opportunity to begin again with God and renew vows of commitment) is an ever-present possibility. The nation’s political fortunes are linked with their spiritual commitment. The history books are not a continuous narrative and many events are recorded more than once, with different emphases added by different authors. However, as a whole they bear witness to a deep conviction that the records of history give evidence of God’s promises being fulfilled among his chosen people.

For the period from Joshua to David, there is much controversy about chronology. This controversy is centred on the date when the Israelites entered Canaan. Whatever date is assumed, chronological problems remain. Without wanting to be dogmatic on the issue, this book has adopted 1407 BC as the date for the conquest. Appropriate adjustments will have to be made if the conquest occurred in the mid thirteenth century BC; but in any case all dates prior to David should be treated with caution.

Joshua

Joshua

(c.1480–1370 BC)

See Joshua[1] in Exodus.

(1:1)

Rahab

(late C15th BC)

A prostitute who lived in a house in the city wall of Jericho. She hid in her home two spies whom Joshua[1] sent from Shittim. She told messengers sent from the king of Jericho that the spies had already left her home. When it was safe, she let the spies leave by means of a scarlet cord, which she lowered through her window. In return she asked the spies to save her family from death when the Israelites came to take control of the land. She delivered a powerful confession of faith, which revealed her understanding of God’s purposes and recognition of his sovereignty. The spies assured Rahab that she and her family would be protected if she tied the scarlet cord to her window when the Israelites advanced. When Joshua entered Jericho, he burnt down the whole city but spared Rahab. Rahab appears in the list of the people of faith in Hebrews 11, which is noteworthy as she was a non-Israelite and a prostitute. James celebrates Rahab as someone whose faith was supported by her deeds. It seems likely that the reference to Rahab in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 is a reference to this same Rahab, which in turn indicates she became the mother of Boaz and the great-great-grandmother of King David.

(2:1–21; 6:17, 23, 25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25)

Achan/Achar

(late C15th BC)

Son of Karmi[2] (Carmi). Grandson of Zimri[2]. From the tribe of Judah. When Joshua[1]’s army tried to take over Ai, they were surprisingly defeated. The Lord revealed to Joshua that the defeat was inflicted because Israel had sinned by taking some of the possessions of those they had defeated rather than destroying them as they had been commanded to do. Achan was identified as the perpetrator of this crime as he had hidden in his tent a beautiful robe along with some silver and gold. In the Valley of Achor (meaning ‘trouble’) the people stoned Achan and his family to death and burnt all his possessions. They marked the site with a heap of rocks, and God’s anger turned from the people. Achan’s fate is a reminder to Israel of the community consequences of one person’s sin.

(7:1, 16–26; 22:20; 1 Chronicles 2:7)

Karmi[2] (Carmi)

(mid C15th BC)

Father of Achan. Son of Zimri[2]. Descendant of Zerah[3]. From the tribe of Judah[1].

(7:1, 18; 1 Chronicles 2:7; 4:1)

Zimri[2]

(early C15th BC)

Father of Karmi[2]. Grandfather of Achan. Descendant of Zerah[3], Judah[1] and Tamar[1].

(7:1, 17–18; 1 Chronicles 2:6)

Adoni-Zedek

(late C15th BC)

King of Jerusalem when Joshua[1] defeated Ai and made a treaty with the city of Gibeon. Fearful of the Israelites’ growing power, he joined forces with the four other Amorite kings to attack Gibeon but Joshua’s armies came to Gibeon’s aid and the Amorite kings were defeated. As a result of Joshua’s victory, the sun stopped still for a day over Gibeon. The five kings fled to a cave at Makkedah but Joshua pursued them and put them to death. Their bodies were returned to the cave in which they had hidden.

(10:1, 3, 5, 16–27; 12:10)

Hoham, Piram, Japhia[1], Debir

(late C15th BC)

Amorite kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon who joined forces with Adoni-Zedek and three other Amorite kings against Joshua (see Adoni-Zedek).

(10:3–5, 16–27; 12:10–12)

Jashar

(unknown)

Possibly the writer of an ancient history book known by Old Testament writers. We know nothing else about the book or its writer.

(10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18)

Horam

(late C15th BC)

King of Gezer who unsuccessfully tried to help Lachish stand against Joshua[1]’s advances in the south of Canaan. There were no survivors from Gezer’s army.

(10:33; 12:12)

Jabin[1]

(late C15th BC)

King of Hazor who summoned the kings of Madon, Shimron and Akshaph, and all the northern kings, to the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. The Israelites defeated them and there were no survivors. The Israelites obeyed the Lord’s instruction and hamstrung their horses and burnt their chariots.

(11:1; 12:19)

Jobab[3]

(late C15th BC)

King of Madon. Summoned by Jabin[1] to fight against the Israelites.

(11:1; 12:19)

Arba

(unknown)

A great Anakite leader. Hebron was at one time called Kiriath Arba in his honour.

(14:15; 15:13; 21:11)

Bohan

(unknown)

Son (or descendant) of Reuben. A landmark called the stone of Bohan was named after him.

(15:6; 18:17)

Aksah[1] (Acsah)

(mid C14th BC)

Daughter of Caleb[1]. Granddaughter of Jephunnah[1]. She became Othniel’s wife because Caleb promised to give her to the man who captured Kiriath Sepher (Debir). Caleb gave her land in the Negev and water springs.

(15:16–19; Judges 1:12–13)

Othniel

(mid C14th BC)

Son of Kenaz[3]. Father of Hathath and Meonothai. Caleb[1]’s nephew. Grandson of Jephunnah[1]. Husband of Aksah[1]. After Israel settled in Canaan and warfare had ended, the Israelites compromised their faith by adopting the practices of other nations and by intermarrying with them. The Lord was angry with them for their apostasy and he allowed the king of Aram Naharaim to oppress them for an eight-year period. The people cried out to the Lord and he gave them Othniel as their warrior and judge. He was empowered by the Spirit of the Lord. Under his leadership the Israelites defeated their oppressors. The result was a 40-year period of peace until Othniel died.

(15:17–18; Judges 1:13–14; 3:7–11; 1 Chronicles 4:13; 27:15)

Kenaz[3]

(early C14th BC)

Father of Othniel and Seraiah[4]. Younger brother of Caleb[1].

(15:17; Judges 1:13; 3:9, 11; 1 Chronicles 4:13)

Abiezer[1]

(early C16th BC)

See Iezer/Abiezer[1] in Numbers.

(17:2)

Judges

Adoni-Bezek

(early C14th BC)

Canaanite king of Bezek. When the Israelites attacked the Canaanites and Perizzites, Adoni-Bezek fled. The Israelites chased him and cut off his big toes and thumbs: the same punishment he had inflicted on others. Adoni-Bezek acknowledged that God was paying him back. He was taken to Jerusalem and died there.

(1:5–7)

Cushan-Rishathaim

(mid C14th BC)

King of Aram Naharaim (Northwest Mesopotamia). He ruled the Israelites for eight years until they were delivered by Othniel.

(3:8–11)

Eglon

(late C14th BC)

King of Moab. He ruled the Israelites in Canaan for 18 years. He is described as ‘a very fat man’. Israel’s deliverer Ehud[1] killed him with his sword at a private audience with him. This marked the end of Moab’s power over the Israelites.

(3:12–15, 17–25)

Ehud[1]

(late C14th BC)

Son of Gera[2]. He was appointed as a judge and leader who would deliver...