Biblical Geography

Entering Canaan

Journey · Old Testament

Scripture first

Joshua 3:16-17 · WEBU

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The Jordan stands in a heap and all Israel crosses on dry ground opposite Jericho.

The entry was a river crossing, a first fortress, and a series of hill-country campaigns. Joshua's strategy followed the terrain: take the centre, then south, then north, holding the high ground and leaving the fortified plains alone.

From the plains of Moab across the Jordan at flood stage: Jericho, Ai, and the taking of the hill country under Joshua.

Biblical names
the plains of Moab, Gilgal, Jericho, Ai, Gibeon, Shechem

Identification note. Gilgal lay near the Jordan crossing; several candidate sites are known.

Israel took the hills first because the Canaanite chariots ruled the plains. The settlement maps of archaeology and the campaigns of Joshua and Judges both follow that single fact.

  • The Jordan stands in a heap and all Israel crosses on dry ground opposite Jericho.
  • Arise, go over this Jordan
  • The fall of Jericho
  • The sun stands still over Gibeon
  • Not one word of the promise failed

What we know

Certain

  • The Jordan crossing opposite Jericho and the hill-country pattern of settlement are rooted in the text and the terrain.

Disputed

  • The date and archaeological footprint of the conquest remain among the most debated questions in biblical archaeology.