Page 31 - Biblical Backgrounds student textbook

Hebrews initially did not conquer the land assigned to
these tribes. In fact, they did not get control of it all until
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the reign of David.”

If you take time to read the book of Joshua, you will find
that there are areas that are not conquered and manage
to avoid it for an extended period after the initial
division of the land. Two major areas that are not
conquered, and are a threat to Israel, include Philistia
and Phoenicia. As you read the book of Joshua and
Judges the Philistines are a source of turmoil to the
Israelites. Saul and David had to fight them. Samson also
had to fight them. God used Samson to demolish one of
their temples killing many inside it.

Government structure in Canaanite and Jewish culture
at the time.

It is helpful to remember that there are multiple types of
government at work during the conquest and settling of
Canaan. Canaan for instance was a group of city
kingdoms ruled by councils and later kings. The
Philistines are an example of this. The Encyclopedia
Britannica states that “Until their defeat by David, the
Philistine cities were ruled by seranim, “lords,” who acted in council for the common good of the nation.
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After their defeat, the seranim were replaced by kings.”

The Israelites were also in a period of transition of government form. When they arrived in Canaan, they
were still a theocracy, under the leadership of Yahweh, through Joshua. This continued for a while.
Eventually the government was implemented through the judges (Othniel, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon,
Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson) and the priests/prophets (Eli and Samuel). Others
are possible but these are called judges in the Old Testament. Finally, it transitioned to the rulership of a
king when God selected king Saul at the request of the people.

Religious environment in Canaan:

We have already mentioned that the deities of the Canaanites included El, Ba’al, and Asherah. The
Philistines also worshiped Dagan and Beelzebub. This continued in the time of the conquest of Canaan.
Voss explains that there were cultural effects to this worship. An example is the existence of male and
female prostitutes. The worship of Ba’al and Asherah was sexually promiscuous due to the function of
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these deities in fertility.

72 Ibid.
73 Adam Augustyn, Ed. “Philistine” in The Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Philistine-
people.
74 Voss, Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs, 116.

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