Footnote 3 – Redating the Exodus

For an excellent discussion of the tactics employed against the Canaanite cities, see Abraham Malamat, “How Inferior Israelite Forces Conquered Fortified Canaanite Cities,” BAR 08:02. The Israelites are said to have besieged only two cities, Lachish and Eglon, and these sieges lasted only two days and one day, respectively (Joshua 10:31–35). The reason why siege warfare was effective in these instances is that the armies of these two cities had already been defeated by Joshua, and their kings put to death (Joshua 10:1–26). If forces existed to defend these cities, they would have been greatly reduced and thoroughly demoralized.