Is Israel the Land Promised to the Israeli's in the Bible Called Canaan?

The term Canaan has been used in the Bible to describe a region, but its meaning and the peoples living there have evolved over time. Canaan often refers to a region occupied by various nations, including the Canaanites. This article explores the historical and biblical context of the land known as Canaan and its connection to the modern state of Israel.

The Initial Settlement and the People of Canaan

Before delving into the specifics of the Promised Land, it is important to understand the people who inhabited the region. The term Canaan was used to describe the advanced sedentary peoples living in the region around 3000 BC. Various groups such as the Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites were among the inhabitants of the area.

The Biblical Name: Israel

The name Israel originated with Jacob, who after wrestling an angel, was renamed from Jacob to Israel, meaning 'wrestler with God'. This name later came to be associated with his descendants as a whole. The initial nation of Israel, a theocracy, was formed at Mount Sinai, as per divine command. According to biblical texts, God instructed the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites and other nations from the Promised Land.

The Kingdom of Israel

The kingdom of Israel was once united under Saul, a Benjaminite, but later split into two rival nations, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The northern kingdom of Israel ceased to exist after being invaded by the Assyrians in 740 BCE. The kingdom of Judah followed suit in 607 BCE, when Nebuchadnezzar II deposed the last Judean king.

The Changes in Administration and Geographical Influence

After the fall of the Judean kingdom, the land came under the dominion of various foreign powers, including the Persians, Greeks, and eventually the Romans, who deemed it the province of Judea. The Jewish system of worship ended with the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 CE and the destruction of Zerubbabel’s Temple. The mass suicide at Masada in 73 AD marked the end of significant Jewish revolts and effectively the Jewish nation as a body.

The Modern State of Israel and the Concept of Palestine

It was not until 1948 CE that a Jewish ethnostate existed, as the state of Israel was established. There was no singular Israel toponym prior to 885 BCE, with the Kingdom of Israel being obliterated in 722 BCE. During this time, ten tribes known as Israelites were part of the kingdom.

The term Canaan, however, continued to be used by ancient Judean clergy between 586-520 BCE to describe a region that included Peleset (Philistines), Macedonian Palestine in 332 BC, and Syria Palestina in 63 BC. Today, the concept of Palestine is revived, albeit in a much smaller geographical region, with Israel comprising only 21.0k km2 of land, including the disputed territories since 1967.

It is crucial to acknowledge the historical and geographical evolution of these terms to understand the current geopolitical situation.