Hans Ausloos, «Exod 23,20-33 and the ‘War of YHWH’», Vol. 80 (1999) 555-563

Some crucial elements of the compositional structure of the "war of YHWH" which can be found in Exod 14, Josh 10, Judg 4 and 1 Sam 7, equally occur in Exod 23,20-33. The differences between the latter text and the former pericopes, however, point into the conclusion that Exod 14, Josh 10, Judg 4 and 1 Sam 7 on the one hand and Exod 23,20-33 on the other are separate witnesses of an earlier tradition about YHWH as warrior.

        In Vervenne’s view, there can be no doubt that the similarities between Exod 14, Josh 10, Judg 4 and 1 Sam 7 are caused by a literary relationship²⁵. Referring to K.A.D. Smelik, who states that it is more plausible to speak about the literary genius of the Israelites in the seventh and sixth century B.C. than about a great historian of the tenth century²⁶, Vervenne disagrees with Weimar, who dates the origin of this "war of YHWH" scheme in the early monarchy²⁷. According to Vervenne, the pattern is characteristic of Deuteronomistic literature²⁸. He, however, also points to a fundamental difference between Exod 14 on the one hand, and Josh 10, Judg 4 and 1 Sam 7 on the other. Although it is indicated in the Sea Narrative, parallel to the latter texts, that YHWH will fight on Israel’s side, Israel’s active involvement is never stated explicitly. In Vervenne’s view, the particular version of the "war-story" as it is found in Exod 14* fits best after the fall of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C, since it contains a strong appeal to trust in YHWH alone²⁹. As a result, the absence of the typical feature that Israel itself, as an allied force, takes part in the war, would, according to Vervenne, be an indication in favour of the proto-Deuteronomic character of Exod 14*³⁰.