A Diaspora-oriented Overriding of the Joshua Scroll

Joshua 24 as a whole is a Persian-period composition that presumes the Hexateuchal narrative. At the same time, it diverges from the Hexateuchal narrative on significant points. These divergences do not derive from an early tradition or source, but represent a revision of the Hexateuchal tradition for a target audience located in the Eastern Diaspora. The new covenant at Shechem is conditioned only upon faithfulness to Yahweh, and is directed towards strengthening Judean and Yahwistic identity in the face of integration and assimilation in the host society.