The biblical narrative of the conquests primarily refers to the military campaigns led by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua, as they entered and took possession of the Promised Land, Canaan. This period is a significant chapter in the history of Israel, marking the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 12:7).

Conquest of Canaan

The Book of Joshua details the systematic conquest of Canaan, beginning with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3) and the fall of Jericho. The Israelites, following God's specific instructions, marched around the city for seven days, culminating in the walls collapsing after a great shout (Joshua 6:20: "So the people shouted when the rams’ horns sounded. When the people heard the sound of the horn, they raised a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then the people charged straight into the city and captured it.").

Following Jericho, the Israelites faced setbacks, such as the initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7), but they eventually captured the city after purging the sin from among them (Joshua 8). The southern campaign included victories over a coalition of Amorite kings, highlighted by the miraculous event where the sun stood still at Gibeon (Joshua 10:13: "So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.").

The northern campaign saw Joshua defeating a coalition led by Jabin, king of Hazor, effectively securing the land from north to south (Joshua 11). The conquests were marked by divine intervention and guidance, as the Lord fought for Israel (Joshua 10:42: "All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.").

Division of the Land

After the major military campaigns, the land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. This division was conducted by casting lots, as directed by God, ensuring each tribe received its inheritance (Joshua 14-19). Caleb, for his faithfulness, was granted Hebron (Joshua 14:13-14: "Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.").

Significance and Theological Themes

The conquests underscore several theological themes, including the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises, the importance of obedience to divine commands, and the concept of divine judgment against the Canaanite nations for their iniquity. The narrative also emphasizes the necessity of holiness and the consequences of sin within the community, as seen in the incident with Achan.

The conquests, while historical, also serve as a typological foreshadowing of spiritual battles and the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. The Israelites' reliance on God's guidance and power is a recurring motif, illustrating the principle that victory comes not by human might but by the Lord's intervention and support.