ABSTRACT
The book of Joshua relates the execution of an ancient program of ethnic cleansing, initiated and legitimized by divine decree, and narrated with little expression of remorse save that Israel did not finish the job. The program is accomplished through a war of conquest, in which difference of religion and ethnicity constitute just cause for extermination. For many readers in an age haunted by violence-often sponsored, sanctioned, and sanctified by religious ideologies-this is an ugly, repugnant story that scarcely deserves retelling. John Bright no doubt expresses a common sentiment when he writes, “the smoke of burning towns and the stench of rotting flesh hangs over its pages” (1967:243).
