Abstract:
Scholars of the Old Testament affirm that the book of Joshua through 2nd Kings is collectively
called the deuteronomistic history. The literary unit of Joshua 7:1–5 is one the Locus Classicus
of Old Testament. Obedience to God’s instruction underscores the theological intentionality
expressed in this unified segment of Old Testament literature. This ancient Israelite literary
exposition exposes inter-alia the misfortune that besets the entire people of Israel as a result of
Achan’s moral transgression. The consequence of Achan’s antisocial behaviour was so
contagious that it spread across to the entire populace of Israel as they were humiliated and
defeated in a battle by the warriors of Ai. This pericope has been studied in various perspectives
by commentators and scholars of the Old Testament; however, a survey of available literature
shows that it has not been explored by scholars from the orbit of social contagion liability.
Therefore, this article intends to engage the literary unit, employing the lens of social contagion
liability.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : This study engaged the literary unit
of Joshua 7:1–5 from the orbit of social contagion liability. It argues that Achan’s anti-social
behaviour spread to the entire populace of Israel and got them contaminated and exposed to
misfortune because it has the characteristics of social contagion liability. The study contributed
to Old Testament Exegesis, sociology and social contagion study.
