Ashtoreth
Ashtoreth was the goddess of fertility, love, and war in Canaanite culture. Canaanite legends portray her as Baal’s wife or sister. She is also known… Read More »Ashtoreth
Ashtoreth was the goddess of fertility, love, and war in Canaanite culture. Canaanite legends portray her as Baal’s wife or sister. She is also known… Read More »Ashtoreth
Toes and Thumbs. Victors in ancient battles would often cut off the thumbs and toes of their foes (1:6–7). This would allow their enemies to… Read More »Toes and Thumbs
Dividing the spoils after a war or battle was a very common practice. Livestock, precious metals, clothing, and even people could be taken as spoils.… Read More »Dividing the spoils
A manslayer was a person who unintentionally took another person’s life. Such a person could flee to a “city of refuge” (20:1–6) for safety until… Read More »Manslayer
Bethlehem? There are actually two places called Bethlehem in the Bible. The town where Ruth lived and where Jesus was born was about 5 miles… Read More »Bethlehem?
Megiddo was the site of many important OT battles. It was a walled city that guarded the main road that linked Egypt and Syria. Its… Read More »Megiddo
Anakim were apparently a race of very tall people, descended from Anak. After the Israelites conquered Canaan, many of the Anakim took up residence with… Read More »Anakim
Mount Hermon (13:5) represented the northern boundary of the Promised Land. At over 9,000 feet (2,743 m), its snowy peak and thick forests were home… Read More »Mount Hermon
How long did it take to conquer Canaan? Though the brevity of Joshua’s account may make it seem like a swift military campaign, the conquest… Read More »How long did it take to conquer Canaan?
Royal humiliation. In the ancient Near East, victors would often put their feet on the necks of defeated foes (10:24). This was usually done to… Read More »Royal humiliation
Wineskins used for storing and pouring wine (9:13) were made from the skin of a goat or other animal. Jesus uses wineskins as a metaphor… Read More »Wineskins
Ambush. Battles were sometimes won by deceptive military strategy rather than by brute strength. If an army had smaller numbers or was unfamiliar with the… Read More »Ambush