The term "conquest" in the biblical context primarily refers to the divinely ordained military campaigns led by the Israelites to take possession of the Promised Land, Canaan, as narrated in the Old Testament. This period is most notably chronicled in the Book of Joshua, where the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, fulfill God's promise to Abraham by taking possession of the land.

Divine Mandate and Promise

The conquest of Canaan is rooted in God's covenant with Abraham, where He promised to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18-21). This promise is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, establishing a divine mandate for the Israelites to inherit the land. The conquest is thus seen as a fulfillment of God's promise and a demonstration of His faithfulness.

Preparation and Leadership

Before the conquest begins, God appoints Joshua as Moses' successor to lead the Israelites (Deuteronomy 31:23). Joshua is charged with the task of dividing the land among the tribes of Israel. The preparation for conquest includes spiritual readiness, as seen in the crossing of the Jordan River and the renewal of the covenant at Gilgal (Joshua 3-5).

Key Battles and Strategies

The conquest involves several key battles and strategic military campaigns. The fall of Jericho is one of the most famous events, where the walls of the city collapse after the Israelites march around them for seven days, following God's specific instructions (Joshua 6:1-20). This victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than military might.

Another significant battle is the defeat of Ai, where initial failure due to Achan's sin is turned into victory after the sin is addressed (Joshua 7-8). The southern and northern campaigns further demonstrate God's guidance and the Israelites' obedience, leading to the subjugation of various Canaanite kings and cities (Joshua 10-11).

Theological Significance

The conquest of Canaan is not merely a historical event but carries deep theological significance. It represents God's judgment on the sinful Canaanite nations and His holiness, as He commands the Israelites to destroy the inhabitants to prevent idolatry and moral corruption (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). The conquest also underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in the consequences of disobedience at Ai and the Gibeonite deception (Joshua 9).

Division of the Land

Following the military victories, the land is divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, as detailed in Joshua 13-21. This division fulfills God's promise and establishes the Israelites in the land. The cities of refuge and Levitical cities are also designated, reflecting God's provision for justice and worship.

Challenges and Incomplete Conquest

Despite the successes, the conquest is incomplete, as some Canaanite groups remain in the land, leading to future challenges for Israel. The failure to fully drive out the inhabitants results in ongoing conflicts and influences that tempt Israel away from exclusive worship of Yahweh (Judges 1:27-36).

Conclusion

The conquest of Canaan is a pivotal event in Israel's history, demonstrating God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the necessity of obedience. It sets the stage for the subsequent history of Israel in the land, with its blessings and challenges, as they strive to live as God's chosen people.1. (n.) The act or process of conquering, or acquiring by force; the act of overcoming or subduing opposition by force, whether physical or moral; subjection; subjugation; victory.

2. (n.) That which is conquered; possession gained by force, physical or moral.

3. (n.) The acquiring of property by other means than by inheritance; acquisition.

4. (n.) The act of gaining or regaining by successful struggle; as, the conquest of liberty or peace.

3534. nikos -- victory
... Cognate: 3534 (a neuter noun) -- victory, particularly the of a conquest. ... Accordingly,
death can exert conquest over the believer (1 Cor 15:55). See 3528 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3534.htm - 7k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... PLEASURE IN HIM" (). 1 Jn 5:4: "For conquers the world; and this is the conquest
that has conquered the world – our. (4102).". 3. In ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

3529. nike -- victory
... victory. Apparently a primary word; conquest (abstractly), ie (figuratively) the
means of success -- victory. (nike) -- 1 Occurrence. 3528, 3529. nike. 3530 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3529.htm - 6k

3425. yerushshah -- possession, inheritance
... heritage, inheritance, possession. From yarash; something occupied; a conquest;
also a patrimony -- heritage, inheritance, possession. see HEBREW yarash. ...
/hebrew/3425.htm - 6k

Joshua's Conquest.
... Chapter VIII. Joshua's Conquest. Joshua. The Facts of History Recorded. ... The Story
Naturally Falls Into Three Parts. (1) The conquest of Canaan, (Chs.1-12). ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

Conquest of the Sarmatians, Consequent on the Rebellion of their ...
... Book IV. Chapter VI."Conquest of the Sarmatians, consequent on the Rebellion
of their Slaves. With respect to the Sarmatians, God ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter vi conquest of the sarmatians.htm

That Upon the Conquest and Slaughter of vitellius Vespasian ...
... CHAPTER 11. That Upon The Conquest And Slaughter Of Vitellius Vespasian Hastened
His Journey To Rome; But Titus His Son Returned To Jerusalem. ...
/.../chapter 11 that upon the.htm

Conquest of the Scythians Defeated through the Sign of Our Saviour ...
... Book IV. Chapter V."Conquest of the Scythians defeated through the Sign
of Our Saviour. And why should I relate even briefly and ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter v conquest of the scythians.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... CHAPTER I"THE IRANIAN CONQUEST. Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in
Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Conquest of Lydia.
... CHAPTER VII. THE CONQUEST OF LYDIA. BC546 Reasons which induced Croesus
to invade Media."The Lacedaemonians."Embassadors to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vii the conquest of.htm

The Conquest of Babylon.
... CHAPTER VIII. THE CONQUEST OF BABYLON. BC544-538 Babylon."The River
Euphrates."Canals."Curious boats."Their mode of construction ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter viii the conquest of.htm

Spanish Conquest-The Propagation, Decay, and Downfall of Spanish ...
... CHAPTER II. SPANISH CONQUEST-THE PROPAGATION, DECAY, AND DOWNFALL OF SPANISH
CHRISTIANITY. ... Footnotes: [2] Helps, "Spanish Conquest in America," vol. ...
/.../chapter ii spanish conquest-the propagation.htm

Saul's War with the Amalekites, and Conquest of Them.
... Containing The Interval Of Thirty-Two Years. From The Death Of Eli To The Death
Of Saul. CHAPTER 7. Saul's War With The Amalekites, And Conquest Of Them. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 sauls war with.htm

We Sing the Glorious Conquest
... Paul 271. We sing the glorious conquest. 7.6.7.6.D. [1023]Munich: Meiningen, 1693; ...
John Ellerton, 1871. We sing the glorious conquest. Before Damascus gate,. ...
/.../holy days conversion of st.htm

Conquest (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The act of gaining or regaining by successful struggle; as, the conquest
of liberty or peace. Multi-Version Concordance Conquest (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/conquest.htm - 7k

Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... Israel's history, and throw a good deal of light upon the relation between Israel
and the Philistines and the Syrians immediately after the conquest of Canaan. ...
/a/alliance.htm - 21k

Og (22 Occurrences)
... OG. (`ogh; Og): King of Bashan, whose territory, embracing 60 cities, was conquered
by Moses and the Israelites immediately after the conquest of Sihon, king of ...
/o/og.htm - 17k

Amorites (82 Occurrences)
... like the Babylonian Amurru from which it is taken; Amorraioi): 1. Varying Use of
the Name Explained 2. The Amorite Kingdom 3. Sihon's Conquest 4. Disappearance ...
/a/amorites.htm - 50k

Persians (6 Occurrences)
... 1. Writing: The Persians had indulged less in luxury than the Medes, until their
conquest of Media and other lands under Cyrus the Great gave them the ...
/p/persians.htm - 20k

English
... Old Testament by Aelfric, archbishop of Canterbury about the year 990, comprise
the main efforts at Bible translation into English before the Norman Conquest. ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... HISTORY OF MACEDONIA 1. Philip and Alexander 2. Roman Intervention 3. Roman
Conquest 4. Macedonia a Roman Province 5. Later History III. ...
/m/macedonia.htm - 40k

Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... The city suffered severely from earthquakes, but did not lose its importance until
the Arab conquest restored Damascus to the first place among Syrian cities. ...
/a/antioch.htm - 27k

Hazor (19 Occurrences)
... in a great battle. Joshua gained a signal victory, which virtually completed
his conquest of Canaan (11:10-13). This city was, however ...
/h/hazor.htm - 17k

Cambyses
... Cambyses organized an expedition for the conquest of Egypt, which was rendered
successful by internal treachery and by the aid of the Phoenician, Cyprian and ...
/c/cambyses.htm - 12k

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