Topical Bible: Holy Land: Called: Land of Canaan

◄ Holy Land: Called: Land of Canaan ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Holy Land" refers to a geographical region of significant religious importance, particularly within the Judeo-Christian tradition. In the Bible, this area is often referred to as the "Land of Canaan." This land is central to the narratives of the Old Testament and holds a prominent place in the history and theology of the Israelites.

Geographical Boundaries and Description

The Land of Canaan is described in the Bible as the territory promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. Genesis 12:5-7 records God's promise to Abram: "So Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him."

The boundaries of Canaan are further detailed in Numbers 34:2-12 , where God instructs Moses on the borders of the land that the Israelites are to inherit. The land is described as extending from the southern desert to the northern region of Lebanon, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Jordan River in the east.

Historical and Theological Significance

The Land of Canaan is not only a geographical location but also a symbol of God's covenant with His people. It represents the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In Genesis 17:8 , God reiterates His promise to Abraham: "And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God."

The conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history. Joshua 1:2-4 records God's command to Joshua: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan 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. Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great river Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea."

Canaanite Inhabitants and Culture

The land was originally inhabited by various Canaanite tribes, including the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These peoples were known for their polytheistic beliefs and practices, which often stood in stark contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. The cultural and religious practices of the Canaanites are frequently addressed in the biblical narrative, with God commanding the Israelites to avoid adopting these practices (Deuteronomy 7:1-5).

Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions

The Land of Canaan also holds eschatological significance in biblical prophecy. The prophets often speak of a future restoration of Israel to the land, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic books. For instance, in Ezekiel 36:24 , God promises, "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all the countries, and bring you back into your own land."

The Land of Canaan, as the Holy Land, remains a focal point of biblical history and prophecy, symbolizing God's enduring covenant and the hope of future fulfillment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 11:31
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran, and dwelled there.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 14:34
When you be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Why Jesus came to this World
... It was called the Land of Canaan at the first, then the Land of Promise, and then
the Land of Israel. But we call it the Holy Land, or Palestine. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter i why jesus came.htm

The Story of the Grapes from Canaan
... means "a cluster." These twelve men were called "spies," because ... of the Lord, which
stayed in the Holy of Holies ... They shall not go into the good land that I ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the grapes.htm

Joshua was a Figure of Christ.
... I have now frequently remarked, who was called Oshea, when ... sent to spy out the land
of Canaan, was named ... he led the surviving people into the Holy Land; and as ...
/.../chapter cxiii joshua was a figure.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... destroy idol worship in the land of Canaan, and to ... the law, was carried into the
most holy place, and ... become that a queen from a distant land called Sheba came ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... and pastures, it was truly a goodly land, and when ... on the coast, where they worshipped
a fish-god, called Dagon ... where His Name had not been kept holy; the token ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

The Mountainous Country of Judea.
... Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill ... a very long back of mountains, beginning
almost at the Red Sea, and reaching almost to the land of Canaan ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 11 the mountainous country.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... 21); where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts ... daughter of the "woman
of Canaan," the intensity ... of foreign settlers, but the Holy Land itself was ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

An Example of Faith
Expositions of Holy Scripture. ... Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land:
and there ... and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an example of faith.htm

The vineyard of the Lord
... kindred and bade him dwell in the land of Canaan ... was a high honor to which Abraham
was called"that of ... For the divine statutes, which are "holy, and just, and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/the vineyard of the lord.htm

Christian Doctrine of God and his Law.
... and who were the righteous seed of godly and holy men"Abraham ... whom He also settled
again in the land of Canaan, which afterwards was called jud??a, and ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter ix christian doctrine of god.htm