The Canaanites, an ancient tribe, highly developed in their culture, occupied Palestine long before the Hebrews
arrived to drive them out under the leadership of Joshua about 1405 B.C.
Archaeological evidence indicates the Canaanites must have settled the land of Canaan at least 600
years before Joshua's time. They had a well developed system of walled cities, including Jericho, Ai, Lachish, Hebron, Debir,
and Hazor. Under God's leadership, Joshua was successful in taking these cities from the Canaanites (Josh.
6-12).
The Canaanites also had their own written language, based upon a unique alphabet, which they apparently
developed. Discovery of a number of Canaanite documents at the Ras Shamra in northern Palestine has given scholars many insights
into Canaanite culture and daily life.
The religion of the Canaanite people posed a peculiar threat to the new inhabitants of Canaan. The
Canaanites worshipped many pagan gods that appealed to their animal instincts. Baal, the god who controlled rain and fertility,
was their main god.
Baal religion was basically a fertility cult. At temples scattered throughout their land, Canaanite
worshipers participated in lewd, immoral acts with sacred prostitutes. Bestiality and child sacrifice were other evils associated
with this depraved form of religion.
The threat of Baal worship explains why Moses issued a stern warning to the people of Israel about
the Canaanites several years before they actually occupied the Land of Promise. "You shall conquer them and utterly destroy
them," Moses commanded. "You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them" (Deut. 7:2).
Canaanite religion continued to exert its influence throughout the land for many years after Joshua's
conquest. The Hebrew people had to be called back again and again to worship the one true God, who demanded holy and ethical
living from His people.
