Canaan in the Context of the Ancient Near East by the Time the Israelites Settled There

Abstract

The article deals with a brief history of the southern part of the Eastern Mediterranean (Levant) called «Canaan» in the second millennium BC. The unique location of Canaan on the land bridge between the three major continents and in the center of the «fertile crescent», between Egypt in the south and Syria and Mesopotamia in the north, had a great influence on the history and development of its culture. The small Canaanite lands at the crossroads of the most important Middle Eastern trade and migration routes were constantly being invaded by the armies of the world’s great powers, for whom this region, with its fertile soil, rich pastures and wealth gained through trade and craftsmanship, was a coveted prey. Often the Canaanite city-states, which were feuding among themselves, could not resist the onslaught of strong neighbors. All these exter- nal and internal reasons led to the fact that by the time the Israelite people came here, the once prosperous cities of Canaan were in deep cultural and material decay. It seems that by God’s Providence the Promised Land was prepared for the meeting with ancient Israel.