Biblical Facts - The Conquest Period of the Old Testament
The
Conquest Period in the Old Testament refers to the era when the Israelites,
under the leadership of Joshua, entered and gradually took possession of the
Promised Land—Canaan. This period, recorded primarily in the Book of Joshua and
echoed in Judges, marks the transition from a wandering people shaped by the
wilderness to a settled nation with land, identity, and responsibility. It is
an era filled with dramatic battles, divine interventions, covenantal
faithfulness, and sobering warnings about obedience.
After
the death of Moses, Joshua emerged as Israel’s divinely appointed leader. His
first great challenge was crossing the Jordan River, an event that mirrored the
earlier crossing of the Red Sea. As the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant
stepped into the river, the waters stopped flowing, allowing the entire nation
to pass over on dry ground. This miraculous entrance served as God’s assurance
that He would be with Joshua just as He had been with Moses, and it
strengthened the people’s faith as they prepared for warfare.
The
Conquest Period began with the capture of Jericho, perhaps the most iconic
event of this era. Jericho was a fortified city, seemingly impenetrable, yet
God provided an unconventional battle strategy. The Israelites were instructed
to march around the city once each day for six days and seven times on the
seventh day, blowing trumpets and shouting. When they obeyed, the walls
collapsed. This victory underscored a central theme of the period: triumph came
not through military might but through faithful obedience to God’s commands.
Not
all early battles were victorious. The defeat at Ai revealed the consequences
of disobedience within the camp. Achan’s secret sin—taking forbidden items from
Jericho—brought judgment upon Israel. Only after the sin was exposed and dealt
with could the people conquer Ai. The story served as a powerful reminder that
holiness and communal accountability were essential for success in God’s
mission.
As
the Israelites pressed deeper into the land, they encountered multiple
alliances formed among Canaanite kings who feared Israel’s advancement. The
southern and northern campaigns described in Joshua show the Israelites
fighting numerous battles, often against overwhelming odds. Yet time and again,
God intervened. In one dramatic instance during the battle of Gibeon, Joshua
prayed for the sun to stand still so Israel could finish the fight—and the day
was miraculously prolonged. These narratives highlight the belief that the
conquest was ultimately God’s work, and Israel’s armies were instruments of
divine judgment against a culture marked by centuries of moral corruption.
The
Gibeonite incident brought a different type of challenge. The Gibeonites
deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to come from
a distant land. Although the treaty was based on falsehood, Joshua honored it
because it had been sworn in the name of the Lord. This story emphasizes the
importance of discernment and integrity, and it illustrates how Israel’s
decisions had lasting consequences for their social and political landscape.
After
numerous battles and campaigns, the land was gradually subdued, though not
completely conquered. Joshua then oversaw the distribution of the territories
among the twelve tribes of Israel. This portion of the narrative, often
overlooked by readers, highlights the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham:
each tribe received a defined inheritance, turning divine promise into tangible
reality. The Levites, set apart for priestly service, were given cities rather
than a contiguous territory, showing that spiritual leadership remained central
in Israel’s new life in the land.
One
of the most significant moments near the end of Joshua’s leadership was the
renewal of the covenant at Shechem. Joshua reminded the people of God’s mighty
acts—from the patriarchs to the Exodus and the conquest—and urged them to
choose whom they would serve. His famous declaration, “As for me and my house,
we will serve the Lord,” encapsulated the heart of the Conquest Period:
possessing the land was inseparable from remaining faithful to the God who gave
it.
Although
the Book of Joshua gives an idealized overview of victory, the Book of Judges
reveals the incomplete nature of the conquest and the dangers that followed.
Many Canaanite groups remained, either because Israel failed to drive them out
or chose to coexist with them. This partial obedience produced spiritual
compromise, intermarriage, and the gradual adoption of idolatrous
practices—problems that would haunt Israel for generations. Thus, the Conquest
Period becomes a story not only of God’s faithfulness but also of the human
tendency to drift from covenant commitments.
In
summary, the Conquest Period stands as a foundational era in the Old Testament,
shaping Israel’s national identity and spiritual destiny. It demonstrates God’s
power to fulfill His promises, the necessity of obedience, and the consequences
of unfaithfulness. More than a military campaign, it is a theological drama in
which land, law, leadership, and loyalty come together to form the heart of
Israel’s story.
Chronological
Timeline of the Conquest Period (c. 1406–1399 BC)
(Approximate
dates based on a traditional early-date approach.)
1.
Moses Dies; Joshua Becomes Leader (1406 BC)
Moses dies on Mount Nebo (Deut. 34).
Joshua is commissioned as Israel’s leader
(Joshua 1).
Israel camps at Shittim, east of the Jordan.
2.
Spies Sent to Jericho
Joshua sends two spies to Jericho (Joshua 2).
Rahab shelters them and declares faith in
Israel’s God.
They return with the report: “The land melts
because of us.”
3.
Crossing the Jordan River
Israel miraculously crosses the Jordan (Joshua
3–4).
The priests carrying the Ark step in, and the
waters stop.
Twelve stones are set up as a memorial at
Gilgal.
4.
Covenant Renewal at Gilgal
All Israelite males are circumcised (Joshua
5).
Passover is celebrated.
Manna ceases; they eat produce of the land.
Joshua encounters the “Commander of the Lord’s
Army.”
CENTRAL
CAMPAIGN (First Major Phase)
5. Fall of Jericho
Jericho is conquered supernaturally (Joshua
6).
The walls collapse after seven days of
marching.
Rahab and her family are saved.
6.
Sin of Achan and the Defeat at Ai
Israel is defeated at Ai because of Achan’s
sin (Joshua 7).
Achan is judged, restoring God’s favor.
7.
Capture of Ai
Ai is destroyed through a military ambush
(Joshua 8).
Afterward, Joshua builds an altar at Mount
Ebal and renews the covenant.
SOUTHERN
CAMPAIGN (Second Major Phase)
8. The Gibeonite Deception
Gibeon tricks Israel into a treaty (Joshua 9).
Israel honors the treaty but makes the
Gibeonites servants.
9.
Battle of the Five Amorite Kings
Five southern kings attack Gibeon.
Joshua rescues Gibeon in a decisive battle
(Joshua 10).
God sends hailstones.
Joshua commands the sun and moon to stand
still.
10.
Southern Cities Conquered
Joshua
leads a sweeping southern campaign, taking:
Makkedah
Libnah
Lachish
Eglon
Hebron
Debir
Israel
gains control over the southern hill country, Negev, and lowlands.
NORTHERN
CAMPAIGN (Third Major Phase)
11. Battle of Merom
Northern kings form a huge coalition under
Jabin of Hazor (Joshua 11).
Joshua surprises and defeats them at the
waters of Merom.
Hazor, the leading city, is burned.
12.
Subjugation of Northern Territories
Territories of Galilee, Lebanon foothills,
Bashan, and the northern plains fall under Israel's control.
“Joshua took the whole land” (broadly meaning
military dominance).
CONSOLIDATION
PHASE
13. List of Defeated Kings
A record of 31 kings defeated is given (Joshua
12).
This shows the extent of the campaign over
multiple regions.
14.
Land Division Among the Tribes
Tribal boundaries assigned (Joshua 13–21).
Caleb receives Hebron.
Cities of refuge and Levitical cities are
designated.
15.
Transjordan Tribes Return Home
Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh return east
across the Jordan (Joshua 22).
An altar misunderstanding nearly causes civil
conflict but is resolved peacefully.
CLOSING
EVENTS
16. Joshua’s Farewell Addresses
Joshua gives final exhortations to remain
faithful (Joshua 23).
Warns against idolatry and assimilation.
17.
Covenant Renewal at Shechem
“As for me and my house, we will serve the
Lord” (Joshua 24).
Israel renews loyalty to Yahweh.
18.
Death of Joshua
Joshua dies at 110 years old (Joshua 24:29).
Israel remains faithful through the lifetime
of Joshua and the elders who outlived him.
Summary
of Major Phases
1. Entry → 2. Central Campaign → 3. Southern Campaign → 4. Northern Campaign → 5. Consolidation → 6. Covenant Renewal
