Topical Bible: Israel: Defeat the Canaanites

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The defeat of the Canaanites by the Israelites is a significant event in the biblical narrative, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan. This conquest is primarily chronicled in the books of Joshua and Judges, where the Israelites, under divine guidance, take possession of the Promised Land.

Divine Mandate and Preparation

The conquest of Canaan was not merely a military campaign but a divinely ordained mission. God had promised the land to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:7), and this promise was reiterated to Moses and Joshua. The Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan was marked by divine interventions, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna in the wilderness.

Before entering Canaan, God instructed Joshua, Moses' successor, to be strong and courageous, assuring him of His presence: "Every place where the sole of your foot will tread, I have given you, as I promised to Moses" (Joshua 1:3). The Israelites were to conquer the land and drive out its inhabitants, who were steeped in idolatry and immorality, as a means of purifying the land for God's people.

The Conquest Begins

The conquest began with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, which God parted to allow the Israelites to enter Canaan (Joshua 3:14-17). The first major victory was the fall of Jericho, a fortified city. Following God's specific instructions, the Israelites marched around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls of Jericho collapsed after the people shouted and the priests blew their trumpets (Joshua 6:20).

Central and Southern Campaigns

After Jericho, the Israelites faced a setback at Ai due to Achan's sin, but once the sin was addressed, they successfully captured the city (Joshua 7-8). The central campaign continued with the Israelites forming a covenant with the Gibeonites, who deceived them into making a peace treaty (Joshua 9).

The southern campaign was marked by the defeat of a coalition of Amorite kings. God intervened by sending hailstones and causing the sun to stand still, allowing the Israelites to achieve a decisive victory (Joshua 10:11-14).

Northern Campaign and Completion

The northern campaign involved the defeat of another coalition led by King Jabin of Hazor. Joshua and the Israelites, following God's command, hamstrung the horses and burned the chariots of their enemies, securing the northern territories (Joshua 11:1-15).

The conquest of Canaan was completed with the division of the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, as detailed in Joshua 13-21. Despite the victories, some Canaanite groups remained, leading to future conflicts and challenges for the Israelites.

Theological Significance

The defeat of the Canaanites is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of sin, as seen in the incident at Ai. The conquest also serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ, the true Joshua, who leads His people into the eternal Promised Land.

The narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy, as He establishes His people in the land He promised to their forefathers.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 21:1-3
And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelled in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
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Library

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... It traces the defeat to God, and means really ... the western Palestine, but the remoter
Canaanites (lowlanders) of ... make a combined attack, and sweep Israel out of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... (1) God is at war with sin: (a) He thrusts out the Canaanites because of their sins;
(b) He allows the defeat of Israel at Ai because sin was among them; (c ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

Achan's Sin.
... He knew that unless God made the Israelites victorious, the Canaanites would be
able to overcome them, and God ... Achan's sin was the cause of Israel's defeat! ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/achans sin.htm

How Upon the Death of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned in his Stead; against ...
... a burnt-offering, according to the practices of the Canaanites. ... He also afflicted
the land of Israel, and took many ... anger was the cause of his defeat; nay, he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how upon the.htm

The Judges.
... 3) The oppression of the Canaanites, who came ... the control of his children ruined
them and brought him to sorrow and also caused a severe defeat for Israel. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

Joshua.
... (1) To show how Israel was settled in ... (2) To show how, by the destruction of the
Canaanites, God punishes ... in that he is their advocate in time of defeat and in ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vi joshua.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... in Israel, they ceased, Until than didst arise, Deborah, Until thou didst arise
a mother in Israel. ... [Sidenote: The battle and defeat of the Canaanites]. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... And How He Brought Some Of The Canaanites Into Subjection ... How Joram, His Namesake,
King Of Israel, Fought With ... Of Jehoram King O Jerusalem; His Defeat And Death ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Historical Books.
... of the people to effect a complete extirpation of the Canaanites, and of the ... at the
lips of the risen Samuel, of the defeat of the armies of Israel by the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Afraid of Giants
... the two preceding tribes; and that the 'Canaanites,' or 'Lowlanders ... less folly, and
is the sure precursor of defeat. ... Israel might be a row of ciphers, but with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm