Canaanites: Prophecy Concerning
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The Canaanites, descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham and grandson of Noah, are a significant group in biblical history. They inhabited the land of Canaan, a region that roughly corresponds to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Jordan and Syria. The Canaanites are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land.

Prophecy in Genesis

The earliest prophecy concerning the Canaanites is found in Genesis 9:25-27, where Noah pronounces a curse upon Canaan: "Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers." This curse is significant as it sets the stage for the future subjugation of the Canaanites by the descendants of Shem and Japheth. The prophecy indicates a future where the Canaanites would be subservient, reflecting the eventual conquest and domination by the Israelites.

Prophecy in Exodus and Deuteronomy

In Exodus 23:23-28, God promises the Israelites that He will drive out the Canaanites and other inhabitants of the land before them: "For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them." This divine promise is reiterated in Deuteronomy 7:1-2, where God commands the Israelites to "utterly destroy" the Canaanite nations, leaving no room for treaties or mercy.

Prophecy in Joshua

The book of Joshua details the fulfillment of these prophecies as the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, conquer the land of Canaan. Joshua 3:10 declares, "By this you will know that the living God is among you, and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites." The conquest of Canaan is portrayed as a divinely ordained mission, fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs.

Prophecy in Judges

Despite the initial successes, the book of Judges reveals that the Israelites did not fully drive out the Canaanites, leading to ongoing conflict and influence. Judges 2:3 records God's declaration: "Therefore I now say, I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you." This prophecy highlights the consequences of Israel's disobedience and the enduring presence of the Canaanites as a source of temptation and trouble.

Prophecy in the Prophets

The prophetic books often refer back to the Canaanites as a symbol of idolatry and moral corruption. In Zechariah 14:21, the term "Canaanite" is used metaphorically to describe those who are impure or unclean: "And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts." This prophecy envisions a future purification and holiness in the worship of God, free from the corrupting influences associated with the Canaanites.

Conclusion

The prophecies concerning the Canaanites are integral to understanding the narrative of Israel's history and God's covenant promises. They reflect themes of judgment, divine sovereignty, and the call to holiness, serving as a backdrop to the unfolding account of redemption in the Bible.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 9:25-27
And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
... led, further, by Leviticus 18.and the parallel passages, where the Canaanites appear
as ... shall dwell in the tents of Shem, this is a prophecy concerning us, who ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessings of noah upon.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... that thou mightest instruct thy sons concerning Him, because ... the Lord bring to nought
the Canaanites, and will ... the tiara of miracle, and the ephod of prophecy. ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... the Canon of Scripture, no new light concerning the things ... such a relation the voice
of prophecy would seem ... to enter into treaty with the Canaanites or their ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Cambyses, 261. Canaanites, their extirpation, 140, 244. ... Muratorian canon, 48, 89,
93, 398, etc. Myths, remarks concerning, 556, 560. ... Nahum, Prophecy of, 341. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

From the Flood to Abraham
... The prophecy of Noah was not only fulfilled in ... in the Jews who conquered the Canaanites
(descendants of ... and fulfillment of his prophecies concerning his sons. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... The Canaanites, Philistines (Kappadokes), and Hittites shall perish ... gives much good
advice concerning the direction ... admonition he recounts this prophecy of Jacob ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... Concerning Widows ... But when the Canaanites, a people fierce in battle and rich in
troops ... forth the army; Jael carried off the triumph, for the prophecy of Deborah ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

The People of the New Earth
... the Apostle might address the saints concerning his desire ... was not to be of "the
Canaanites." "But," said ... Virgins" (Matthew 25., and in the prophecy of Psalm 45 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people of the new.htm

Chapter xlviii
... fathers, Abraham and Isaac, possessed concerning Him ... Shechem and the surrounding
territory from the Canaanites. ... purports to set forth a prophecy, and criticism ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... or tribe, as being like those of the Canaanites.". ... an admirable reflection of Josephus
concerning the general ... up his voice from the earth in prophecy," to blot ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Resources
Why did God condone such terrible violence in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

How is the Islamic idea of jihad different from the violence in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the land of Canaan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Canaanites

Canaanites by the Egyptians

Canaanites: Chariots of

Canaanites: Defeat the Israelites

Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites

Canaanites: Eleven Nations, Descended from Canaan

Canaanites: Given to the Israelites

Canaanites: Isaac Forbidden by Abraham to Take a Wife From

Canaanites: Judah Marries a Woman of

Canaanites: Not Expelled

Canaanites: Prophecy Concerning

Canaanites: Territory of

Canaanites: The Exile Jews Take Wives From

Canaanites: To be Destroyed

Canaanites: To be Expelled from the Land

Canaanites: Wickedness of

The Canaanites: Abraham was Promised the Country of, of Inheritance

The Canaanites: Abraham: Called to Dwell Amongst

The Canaanites: Abraham: had his Faith Tried by Dwelling Amongst

The Canaanites: An Accursed Race

The Canaanites: Comprised Seven Distinct Nations

The Canaanites: Country of, Fertile

The Canaanites: Descended from Ham

The Canaanites: Different Families of

The Canaanites: Expelled for Wickedness

The Canaanites: Extremely Numerous

The Canaanites: Great and Mighty

The Canaanites: had Many Strong Cities

The Canaanites: Idolatrous

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Fear

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Follow Customs of

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Follow Idols of

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: Not to Intermarry With

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: To Destroy all Vestiges of Their Idolatry

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: To Destroy, Without Mercy

The Canaanites: Israel Commanded: To Make No League With

The Canaanites: Israel Ensnared By

The Canaanites: Kind to the Patriarchs

The Canaanites: Part of Left: To Chastise Israel

The Canaanites: Part of Left: To Try Israel

The Canaanites: Partially Subdued by Israel

The Canaanites: Possessions of, How Bounded

The Canaanites: Profane and Wicked

The Canaanites: some Descendants of, in Our Lord's Time

The Canaanites: Superstitious

The Canaanites: Terrified at the Approach of Israel

Related Terms

Perizzites (23 Occurrences)

Hivites (24 Occurrences)

Expel (29 Occurrences)

Jebusites (29 Occurrences)

Taskwork (14 Occurrences)

Taanach (7 Occurrences)

Hormah (9 Occurrences)

Girgashites (7 Occurrences)

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)

Forced (84 Occurrences)

Amalekites (36 Occurrences)

Drove (89 Occurrences)

Perizzite (22 Occurrences)

Dispossess (44 Occurrences)

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)

Period (43 Occurrences)

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)

Defeated (88 Occurrences)

Jabin (8 Occurrences)

Lowlands (25 Occurrences)

Laborers (19 Occurrences)

Ibleam (4 Occurrences)

Tributary (9 Occurrences)

Megiddon (1 Occurrence)

Beth-shean (5 Occurrences)

Barak (14 Occurrences)

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)

Shem (17 Occurrences)

Cruelty (8 Occurrences)

Cruel (196 Occurrences)

Tribute (67 Occurrences)

Joshua (211 Occurrences)

Dor (7 Occurrences)

Drive (132 Occurrences)

Slew (206 Occurrences)

Gezer (14 Occurrences)

Labor (181 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Inhabitants (254 Occurrences)

Fort (8 Occurrences)

Driving (144 Occurrences)

Fortress (75 Occurrences)

Mountains (221 Occurrences)

Fortification (5 Occurrences)

Hivite (25 Occurrences)

Coast (70 Occurrences)

Overcame (84 Occurrences)

War (529 Occurrences)

Amorites (82 Occurrences)

Jebusite (39 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Jael (6 Occurrences)

Lasha (1 Occurrence)

Lowland (34 Occurrences)

Giants (18 Occurrences)

Waxen (12 Occurrences)

Western (19 Occurrences)

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)

Foothills (19 Occurrences)

Hazor (19 Occurrences)

Tappuah (8 Occurrences)

Tributaries (4 Occurrences)

Resolved (15 Occurrences)

Rehob (12 Occurrences)

Ephraimites (7 Occurrences)

Drave (13 Occurrences)

Misrephothmaim (2 Occurrences)

Misrephoth-maim (2 Occurrences)

Plains (31 Occurrences)

Persisted (8 Occurrences)

Bezek (3 Occurrences)

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)

Bethanath (2 Occurrences)

Beth-anath (2 Occurrences)

Beth-she'an (5 Occurrences)

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)

Canaanites: Not Expelled
Top of Page
Top of Page