Conquest Of Canaan Analysis

The story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan can, like many of the other stories of the Hebrew Bible, can be explained as reflections of the religious, political, and societal beliefs of their composers and editors. As a historical piece, the account of Israel’s conquest of Canaan fails to match the current archeological understanding of the Canaanite settlements mentioned in The Book of Joshau. The inaccuracies fail to reflect an accurate historical model, but they suggest that the Book of Joshua is symbolic of its writers. The religious purpose of the story of the conquest of Canaan is to explain the geopolitical and geographical aspects of pre-exilic Israel whilst maintaining their belief that the people of Israel are the chosen people of God. The story highlights and explains several important facets of the Hebrew world at the time of the Book of Joshau’s inclusion in the biblical canon. First, the story concludes the deliverance of God’s …show more content…
Beginning with Abraham, God had promised to provide the offspring of the Patrairchs the land of Canaan. God said to Abraham in Genesis 17:8, “I will give to you, and your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan.” It is through Moses that God forms a covenant with the descendants of Israel. In the Book of Joshua it is shown that breaking the agreement with God forfeited the promises God made to Israel. During the destruction of Jericho, Achan breaks the Israelites pact with God by pillaging from city, an act which God had commanded to Joshua must not occur. As a result God punishes Israel, forsaking the Israelite warriors in their battle against Ai. To make amends with God and win back God’s favor the Israelites renewed their covenant to God. After this renewal Israel is once again able to continue their conquest of Canaan under the protection of their