Late 15th Century BC to Early 14th Century BC
The Israelites were transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle in the wilderness to settling in the Promised Land, Canaan, which was inhabited by various Canaanite tribes with their own polytheistic religions and practices.
Canaan was a region of city-states, each ruled by its own king. The political landscape was fragmented, with no central authority, making it susceptible to conquest by a unified force like the Israelites under Joshua.
The chapter lists territories east and west of the Jordan River, including regions like Bashan, Gilead, and the plains of Moab, which are part of modern-day Jordan and Israel.
The conquest of Canaan involved warfare and the destruction of cities, which was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern military campaigns. The Israelites were commanded to destroy the inhabitants to avoid adopting their idolatrous practices.
Moses
Joshua
Sihon
Og