Topical Encyclopedia
The Conquest of the Land of Canaan is a pivotal event in the history of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. This period marks the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants the land of Canaan (
Genesis 12:7, 26:3, 28:13). The narrative of the conquest is primarily found in the Book of Joshua, with additional references in the Pentateuch and other historical books.
Divine Mandate and PreparationThe conquest begins with God's command to Joshua, Moses' successor, to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In
Joshua 1:2-3 , God instructs Joshua, "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, cross over the Jordan—you and all the people—into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses." This divine mandate underscores the theological foundation of the conquest: it is an act of divine will and fulfillment of covenant promises.
Crossing the Jordan and Initial VictoriesThe crossing of the Jordan River is a miraculous event that echoes the earlier crossing of the Red Sea. In
Joshua 3:14-17, the waters of the Jordan are stopped, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This event signifies God's continued presence and support for Israel.
The first major victory is the fall of Jericho, a fortified city. The strategy, as commanded by God, involves marching around the city for seven days, culminating in the walls collapsing after the Israelites shout and blow trumpets (
Joshua 6:20). This victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than military might.
Central and Southern CampaignsFollowing Jericho, the Israelites face setbacks due to disobedience, notably Achan's sin, which leads to an initial defeat at Ai (Joshua 7). After dealing with the sin, Joshua leads a successful campaign against Ai, employing a strategic ambush (
Joshua 8:1-29).
The southern campaign is marked by the coalition of five Amorite kings against Israel. In response, Joshua leads a surprise attack, and God intervenes by hurling large hailstones and extending the daylight for Israel to achieve victory (
Joshua 10:11-14).
Northern Campaign and Completion of ConquestThe northern campaign involves a coalition led by Jabin, king of Hazor. Joshua's forces defeat this coalition decisively, as recorded in
Joshua 11. The text emphasizes that Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses (
Joshua 11:15).
Distribution of the LandAfter the military campaigns, the land is divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. This distribution is detailed in
Joshua 13-21, with specific allotments for each tribe. The Levites, as the priestly tribe, receive no territorial inheritance but are given cities and surrounding pasturelands.
Theological and Ethical ConsiderationsThe conquest narrative raises significant theological and ethical questions, particularly regarding the destruction of the Canaanite populations. From a conservative Christian perspective, the conquest is seen as a divine judgment against the Canaanites for their idolatry and immorality (
Deuteronomy 9:4-5). It also serves as a typological foreshadowing of the ultimate victory of God's kingdom.
Covenant Renewal and LegacyThe conquest concludes with a covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem, where Joshua exhorts the people to serve the Lord faithfully (
Joshua 24:14-15). The conquest of Canaan establishes Israel as a nation in the land promised to their forefathers, setting the stage for the subsequent period of the Judges and the eventual establishment of the monarchy.
Nave's Topical Index
Joshua 21:43-45And the LORD gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelled therein.
Nave's Topical IndexJudges 1:1
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Joshua's Conquest.
... and then to have completed his conquest by an ... the Canaanites still held possession
of the land and the ... Israel contended against a far superior civilization but ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm
A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... yet the works which He had done for Israel.'"Judges 2 ... a new era, the development
of the nation in its land. ... first, of the progress of the conquest; and second ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm
Joshua
... but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel
would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/joshua.htm
A Cloud of Witnesses.
... Israel believed, and as God had said, so it came to pass. ... morality of her time, she
saw the hand of the God of heaven in the conquest of the land, and bowed ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm
Israel's Obstinacy and God's Patience
... The rate of Israel's conquest was determined by Israel's faithful adherence ... if we
may so say, in leaving the unsubdued nations in the land, was to ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/israels obstinacy and gods patience.htm
Unwon but Claimed
... Joshua's conquest was very partial. ... God's commandment to Joshua to allot the land,
even while the ... I drive out before the children of Israel.' Confidence based ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/unwon but claimed.htm
A Nation that was Born in a Day.
... family, were brought into the Camp of Israel. And so by the conquest of
Jericho the new nation of Israel began to possess its land. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xiv a nation that.htm
The Historical Books.
... of the Canaanites at Gibeon, and the conquest, first of ... an account of the division
of the land by lot ... contains Joshua's charge to the elders of Israel, and the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm
Jeremiah
... no doubt been needlessly suspected: the attitude to northern Israel in ch. ... practised
in Egypt and announcement of the conquest of that land by Nebuchadrezzar ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm
The Shepherd, the Stone of Israel
... from thence, from the Shepherd, the stone of Israel"the power will come for conflict
and for conquest. ... enough away to see the lie of the land, as he ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the shepherd the stone of.htm
Resources
Are Israel and the church the same thing? Does God still have a plan for Israel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual Israel? | GotQuestions.orgDid God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.orgIsrael: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus