Why did the Israelites fight the Canaanites?

Answer 1

From a purely archaeological perspective, since Expert Dan Galilee covered the religious perspective, while there is much less evidence for the violence between Canaanites and Israelites than The Bible espouses, we do have some instances of war, such as the Israelite conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The reason for the conquest here was the particular strategic location of Jerusalem, as well being deeply enveloped by Israelite-held areas in the Judean Highlands and the Samarian Highlands.

Other conflicts appear motivated by economic factors, questions of regional hegemony or strategy, particular religious qualms, or personal disputes.

Answer 2

From a purely archaeological perspective, since Expert Dan Galilee covered the religious perspective, while there is much less evidence for the violence between Canaanites and Israelites than The Bible espouses, we do have some instances of war, such as the Israelite conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The reason for the conquest here was the particular strategic location of Jerusalem, as well being deeply enveloped by Israelite-held areas in the Judean Highlands and the Samarian Highlands.

Other conflicts appear motivated by economic factors, questions of regional hegemony or strategy, particular religious qualms, or personal disputes.

Answer 3

From a purely archaeological perspective, since Expert Dan Galilee covered the religious perspective, while there is much less evidence for the violence between Canaanites and Israelites than The Bible espouses, we do have some instances of war, such as the Israelite conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The reason for the conquest here was the particular strategic location of Jerusalem, as well being deeply enveloped by Israelite-held areas in the Judean Highlands and the Samarian Highlands.

Other conflicts appear motivated by economic factors, questions of regional hegemony or strategy, particular religious qualms, or personal disputes.

Answer 4

From a purely archaeological perspective, since Expert Dan Galilee covered the religious perspective, while there is much less evidence for the violence between Canaanites and Israelites than The Bible espouses, we do have some instances of war, such as the Israelite conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The reason for the conquest here was the particular strategic location of Jerusalem, as well being deeply enveloped by Israelite-held areas in the Judean Highlands and the Samarian Highlands.

Other conflicts appear motivated by economic factors, questions of regional hegemony or strategy, particular religious qualms, or personal disputes.

Answer 5

The descendants of Canaan, who encompassed the tribes of the Promised Land at the time of the Exodus from Egypt, were under a curse stemming back to the days of Noah and his sons. The Curse of Ham was laid down because of Ham's disregard for his father, and would cause all the descendants of Canaan, the fourth generation in the line of Noah through Ham, to serve the descendants of Shem, among which came forth Abraham, Isaac, Jacob who becomes Israel, Joseph, and the Hebrew people.

In a much broader sense, God had chosen the Hebrew people as His own, and Canaan Land was the land God had promised the Hebrews.

Answer 6

From a purely archaeological perspective, since Expert Dan Galilee covered the religious perspective, while there is much less evidence for the violence between Canaanites and Israelites than The Bible espouses, we do have some instances of war, such as the Israelite conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The reason for the conquest here was the particular strategic location of Jerusalem, as well being deeply enveloped by Israelite-held areas in the Judean Highlands and the Samarian Highlands.

Other conflicts appear motivated by economic factors, questions of regional hegemony or strategy, particular religious qualms, or personal disputes.

Answer 7

God promised Israel (Canaan) to the Israelites (Genesis ch.28, Exodus ch.3), and commanded them to take the land (Deuteronomy ch.1 and many other passages).

Note:

1) The Canaanites were exceptionally wicked (Leviticus ch.18, Deuteronomy ch.18). 2) Israel (Canaan) originally belonged to the Semites (after the Flood) and was gradually seized from them by the Canaanites (Rashi commentary, Genesis 12:6). This was one of the reasons why God gave the land to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis ch.13), since he was a Semite (Genesis ch.11).
3) The Israelites did not simply slaughter the Canaanites. They fought them in proper battle (Joshua ch.10) with miraculous assistance from God (Exodus ch.23).
4) They warned the Canaanites concerning God's command to take Canaan (Jerusalem Talmud, Shevi'it 6:1), and gave them a chance to leave the land (ibid). The Girgashites took the warning seriously and departed to Africa (ibid.), while the Gibeonites made a treaty with the Israelites (Joshua ch.9). The rest of the Canaanites insisted on fighting, and attacked the Israelites with a massive army (Joshua ch.11).
5) Whenever fighting, the Israelites never completely surrounded any town. They offered conditional peace, and then (if peace was rejected) left one area open for escape so that whoever wanted to flee could do so (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of kings and war ch.6). See also the Related Links.

Link: The reliability of the Hebrew record

Link: About Joshua

Link: What difficulties did Joshua face?

Link: Contents of the Book of Joshua

Answer 8

From a purely archaeological perspective, since Expert Dan Galilee covered the religious perspective, while there is much less evidence for the violence between Canaanites and Israelites than The Bible espouses, we do have some instances of war, such as the Israelite conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The reason for the conquest here was the particular strategic location of Jerusalem, as well being deeply enveloped by Israelite-held areas in the Judean Highlands and the Samarian Highlands.

Other conflicts appear motivated by economic factors, questions of regional hegemony or strategy, particular religious qualms, or personal disputes.

Answer 9

To return to their promised land