Expert: John J. Shea - 2/14/2007

Question
In the book of Joshua it says Joshua stopped the sun for almost a 24 hr. period. I was having a debate with a rabbi that I have never seen any independent source other than the book of Joshua supporting this event. An event so fundamental as the "sun" stopping should definitely of been documented in some form or another. He argued that there probably is evidence from other sources and if not it's probably because they haven't found enough artifacts from that time period. My question is thus:
1. Are there any writings which do testify to the accuracy of this event?
2. Do we have sufficient artifacts from the time period Joshua was supposed to have taken place.

Thank you very much,
Avi

Answer
Dear Avi,
1. There are no other records of such an event ever having occurred, even though there were plenty of other literate civilizations in existence who might reasonably have noticed this sort of thing (which would involve the Earth ceasing to rotate, because the sun doesn't move around the Earth).
2. There are plenty of archaeological sites from this period, the Late Bronze/Early Iron Ages.  Any good book on the archaeology of Israel will show you the evidence from this period, or have a look at the website of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
My guess is that this business about Joshua "stopping the sun" is a metaphor (e.g., like saying "time stood still") composed by whomever recorded Exodus long after the period when the Israelites are thought to have invaded Canaan.
Cheers,
John Shea