The Canaanites, inhabitants of the land of Canaan, are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as adversaries of the Israelites. The Canaanites were a collection of various tribes and city-states, including the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, among others. They occupied a region that God had promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Canaanites are often depicted as idolatrous and morally corrupt, engaging in practices that were abominable to the Israelites, such as child sacrifice and temple prostitution.

The fear of the Canaanites at the approach of Israel is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative, particularly during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. This fear is rooted in the miraculous events that accompanied the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, which demonstrated the power and favor of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Biblical Accounts of Fear

1. Rahab's Testimony: One of the earliest accounts of Canaanite fear is found in the account of Rahab, a resident of Jericho. When Joshua sent spies to scout the city, Rahab hid them and confessed her people's fear: "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, so that all who live in the land are melting in fear because of you" (Joshua 2:9). Rahab's words reveal that the Canaanites were aware of the Israelites' divine backing and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea.

2. The Crossing of the Jordan: The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River further intensified the fear among the Canaanites. As the Israelites crossed on dry ground, the Bible records that "their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the Israelites" (Joshua 5:1). This event signified to the Canaanites that the God of Israel was actively intervening on behalf of His people.

3. The Fall of Jericho: The destruction of Jericho, one of the fortified cities of Canaan, served as a powerful demonstration of Israel's divine mandate. The walls of Jericho fell after the Israelites marched around the city for seven days, as instructed by God. This miraculous victory further spread fear among the Canaanite kings and inhabitants, as they realized that conventional defenses were ineffective against the Israelites' God.

4. The Gibeonite Deception: The Gibeonites, another Canaanite group, resorted to deception to make a treaty with Israel, motivated by their fear of being destroyed. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land and sought peace with Joshua. Their actions were driven by the recognition of Israel's divine favor and the futility of resisting them militarily (Joshua 9:3-15).

5. The Coalition of Kings: In response to the threat posed by Israel, several Canaanite kings formed coalitions to resist the Israelites. However, these alliances were ultimately unsuccessful, as seen in the defeat of the southern and northern coalitions led by kings such as Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem and Jabin of Hazor (Joshua 10-11). The fear of Israel's God and His people was a significant factor in the inability of these coalitions to withstand the Israelite advance.

Theological Implications

The fear of the Canaanites at the approach of Israel underscores the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs and the divine judgment upon the Canaanite nations for their iniquity. The narrative highlights the sovereignty of God in orchestrating the events leading to the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. The Canaanites' fear serves as a testament to the power of God and His faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating that no earthly power can thwart His divine purposes.Exodus 15:15,16
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold on them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 2:9-11
And she said to the men, I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that your terror is fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 5:1
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... ISRAEL'S HOPE ENCOURAGED; OR, WHAT HOPE IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM FAITH: ... OFFOR.
FOOTNOTES: 1. Cruden. 2. Pilgrim's Progress. Israel's Hope Encouraged; ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... The fictitious appeared to his terrified imagination realities ... had brought the children
of Israel through the ... heart would be unclean, the Canaanites would dwell ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Eretria was reduced to ashes, as Sardes had been, and such of its citizens as had
not fled into the mountains at the enemy's approach were sent into exile ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... hear Him, nor see Him, nor feel Him, nor favour any of His things; I was driven
as with a tempest, my heart would be unclean, and the Canaanites would dwell in ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... reader's recollection when he peruses Israel's Hope Encouraged ... in their faces, which
must terrified them, and ... heart would be unclean"the Canaanites would dwell ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Who were the Canaanites? | GotQuestions.org

Why did the Israelites take the Canaanites as slaves instead of destroying them as they were instructed? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God command the extermination / genocide of the Canaanites, women and children included? | GotQuestions.org

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