Topical Encyclopedia The term "servant" in the context of the Canaanites is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Old Testament. The Canaanites were the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, a region that God promised to the descendants of Abraham. The relationship between the Israelites and the Canaanites is complex, involving themes of conquest, servitude, and divine judgment.Biblical Background The Canaanites are first mentioned in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, where Canaan is listed as a son of Ham, the son of Noah. The curse of Canaan, pronounced by Noah, is a pivotal moment that foreshadows the future subjugation of the Canaanites. In Genesis 9:25 , Noah declares, "Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers." This curse is often interpreted as a prophetic statement about the future servitude of the Canaanite people to the descendants of Shem and Japheth, particularly the Israelites. Conquest and Servitude The conquest of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua is a significant event that fulfills part of the Abrahamic covenant. God commanded the Israelites to take possession of the land and to drive out its inhabitants. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2 , God instructs, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must devote them to complete destruction." Despite this command, the Israelites did not fully drive out the Canaanites, leading to their eventual subjugation and servitude. In Judges 1:28 , it is recorded, "When Israel became strong, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor but never drove them out completely." This incomplete obedience resulted in the Canaanites becoming servants to the Israelites, fulfilling the curse pronounced by Noah. Cultural and Religious Influence The Canaanites were known for their polytheistic religion, which included the worship of deities such as Baal and Asherah. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting Canaanite religious practices, which were seen as abominations before God. In Deuteronomy 12:30-31 , God warns, "Be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, 'How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.' You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates." The influence of Canaanite culture and religion posed a continual threat to the spiritual purity of Israel, leading to periods of idolatry and apostasy among the Israelites. This influence underscores the importance of the Israelites' call to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for the worship of the one true God. Legacy and Theological Implications The servitude of the Canaanites serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. It also highlights the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and His faithfulness to His promises. The narrative of the Canaanites as servants is woven into the larger biblical theme of God's redemptive plan for humanity, demonstrating both His justice and mercy. Throughout the biblical text, the Canaanites' role as servants is emblematic of the broader spiritual battle between faithfulness to God and the temptations of the surrounding culture. The account of the Canaanites challenges believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to God, resisting the allure of worldly influences and maintaining their identity as God's chosen people. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 9:21Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, on those did Solomon levy a tribute of slavery to this day. Nave's Topical Index Library Almost at the Same Time, when Abraham was Now a Hundred Years Old. ... How Rebekah Became the Wife of Isaac Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ... How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ... Now of These one Fell under a Curse, and the Two Others Inherited ... The Captain of the Lord's Host. The Life of St. Christopher Of Rebecca, the Grand-Daughter of Nahor, whom Isaac Took to Wife. A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. ) Resources What does it mean to be a servant of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is servant evangelism? | GotQuestions.org What is a bondservant / bond-servant? | GotQuestions.org Servant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Servant: Bond by the Roman Centurion Servant: Bond used As Soldiers by Abraham Servant: Bond: An Abandoned Sick Man Servant: Bond: Bond Service Threatened, As a National Punishment, for the Disobedience of Israel Servant: Bond: Bought and Sold Servant: Bond: Captive Bondservants Shared by Priests and Levites Servant: Bond: Captives of War Became Slaves Servant: Bond: Children of Defaulting Debtors Sold As Servant: Bond: David Erroneously Supposed to be a Fugitive Slave Servant: Bond: Defaulting Debtors Made Servant: Bond: Degrading Influences of Bondage Exemplified by Cowardice Servant: Bond: Emancipation of Servant: Bond: Equal Status of, With Other Disciples of Jesus Servant: Bond: Freedmen Called "Libertines" Servant: Bond: Fugitive, not to be Returned to his Master Servant: Bond: Hagar, Commanded by an Angel to Return to Sarah (Sarai), Her Owner Servant: Bond: Kidnapping Forbidden Servant: Bond: Kindness To, Commanded Servant: Bond: Laws of Moses Concerning Servant: Bond: Must be Circumcised Servant: Bond: Must Enjoy Religious Privileges With the Master's Household Servant: Bond: Must Have Rest on the Sabbath Servant: Bond: Onesimus Interceded For, by Paul Servant: Bond: Owned by Priests Servant: Bond: Rights of Those Born to a Master Servant: Bond: Slaves Owned Slaves Servant: Bond: Sought by Shimei Servant: Bond: Taken in Concubinage Servant: Bond: The Master Could Marry, or Give in Marriage Servant: Bond: Thieves Punished by Being Made Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of Servant: Good of the Roman Centurion Servant: Good: Servants in the Parable of the Pounds and the Parable of the Talents Servant: Hired: Await Employment in the Marketplace Servant: Hired: The Father of the Prodigal Son Servant: Hired: The Laborers of a Vineyard Servant: Hired: The Rebellious Son Servant: Hired: Treatment of, More Considerate than That of Slaves Servant: Hired: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servant: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Pounds Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Vineyard Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abimelech Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abraham and Lot Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Absalom Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Amon Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Joash Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Job Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Shimei Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Ziba Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Gehazi Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Jeroboam Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Onesimus Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Zimri Related Terms Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) Servant-girls (12 Occurrences) Fellow-servant (6 Occurrences) Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) |
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