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Canaanite Nations Explained
The indigenous peoples of Canaan mentioned in the Bible were composed of various ethnic groups. By examining the historical background, dwelling places, and biblical activities of each of these peoples — including the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Canaanites — we can gain a clearer understanding of the significance of the conquest of Canaan.
The Indigenous Peoples of Canaan
1. The Hittites
In ancient history, this term refers to the Hittite people. They established a kingdom with their capital at Hattusas in modern-day Turkey (present-day Boğazkoy). Around 1200 B.C., they were pushed into northern Syria, where they formed small principalities in places such as Hamath and Aleppo; some had settled in Palestine from an early period as well. Abraham, who had migrated to Canaan, purchased the cave of Machpelah from the Hittites, and Esau took two Hittite women as wives, causing grief to Isaac and Rebekah. Later, Uriah — one of the officers serving under Joab, commander of David’s army, and the husband of Bathsheba — was of Hittite descent. This indicates that Joshua did not completely destroy the Hittites during the conquest of Canaan. Solomon conscripted the Hittites and other Canaanite peoples living in Israel into forced labor for his large-scale building projects.
2. The Girgashites
They appear to have resided on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. In Ugaritic texts, they are referred to by the name “Grgshy.”
3. The Amorites
In ancient history, they are identified as the “Amuru.” They were widely scattered throughout the regions of Syria and Babylon. In Canaan, they dwelt in Ai, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jerusalem, Eglon, the Lebanon region, and the Transjordan. At the time of the Exodus, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan — both in Transjordan — were Amorites. In the land of Canaan, however, the term “Amorites” sometimes referred not to a specific tribe but more broadly to the general “Canaanites” or to the hill-country tribes of Canaan.
4. The Canaanites
This term refers to the tribes inhabiting Canaan, but more specifically to the people of the southern Syrian coastal region and the Jordan Valley. This area encompasses the region of Tyre and Sidon in the vicinity of Lebanon, whose inhabitants were skilled in trade and seafaring. As a result, throughout the ancient Near East and the Mediterranean coastal regions, the Canaanites were commonly known by the designation “merchants.”
5. The Perizzites
The name means “people of the open country,” and they appear to have lived primarily in the hill country of the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh, where they were associated with the Jebusites.
6. The Hivites
The name carries the meaning of “tent dwellers,” which has led some scholars to identify them as a Bedouin people. During the period of the Judges, they inhabited the region stretching from Mount Baal-hermon in Lebanon to the entrance of Hamath.
7. The Jebusites
This was a tribe that lived in Jerusalem and the surrounding hill country. They maintained their independence until they were conquered by David. Araunah the Jebusite owned a threshing floor in Jerusalem, which David purchased and used to offer burnt offerings to God. This site is believed to be the same as Mount Moriah, where Abraham had previously built an altar to offer Isaac to God. Solomon later constructed the Jerusalem Temple on this very site.
*Source: Dictionary of Biblical Cultural Backgrounds
Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com
