The Pre-Moses Residents of Israel: A Comprehensive Overview
Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses, the region was home to a diverse array of ancient peoples. This article delves into the inhabitants of Israel prior to the Exodus, encompassing the Canaanites, Philistines, Hittites, and other groups that played a significant role in the region's history.
The Canaanites and Their Beliefs
The Canaanites were one of the prominent groups living in the land that would become known as Israel. They were closely related to the Israelites and spoke dialects of the same language. The Canaanite civilization thrived in the region from about 3500 to 1200 BCE, covering parts of modern-day Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinian territories.
Religiously, the Canaanites practiced a polytheistic religion, worshipping deities such as Baalim and Ashteroth. Their rituals often involved orgiastic practices, with sexual acts being performed at hill shrines around asherah poles. These shrines served as the focal points for their religious practices, which were considered abhorrent by the Israelites. The Canaanites practiced various forms of incest and also engaged in animal copulation, leading to widespread venereal diseases among their population.
For their orgiastic practices and the prevalence of venereal diseases, the Canaanites were ordered by God to be eradicated. Almost all Canaanites were wiped out, with only a few escaping, such as Goliath, who although he fought for the Philistines, was a descendant of the Anakim, a race of giants.
The Other Inhabitants
In addition to the Canaanites, the region was home to various other groups, including Semitic Hittites, Indo-European tribes, and the Anakim, a people known for their giant status, said to be descendants of rebellious angels who mated with human women. These groups spoke different languages and held unique beliefs regarding the worship of their deities.
The Amorites and Reubenites
The eastern side of the Jordan River, which was not part of the Promised Land, also saw significant activity. The Amorites and Reubenites, along with the Gadites and Manasseh, were among the groups that were ultimately destroyed by the Israelites. The Hebrews, as the Israelites were known, requested permission to settle in Amorite land. Despite being from the other side of the Jordan, the Amorites and their sub-tribes had established tribute systems and had built their own kingdoms.
The Israelites: The Hebrews
Moses did not just lead the tribe of Judah out of Egypt, but he led all the tribes of Israel. The term Israelites refers to the Hebrew people, who brought their Semitic language and cultural practices to the region. The Israelites established a sovereign unit in the Promised Land, building institutions such as the Temple and the Sanhedrin, which served as a supreme court of justice.
By the time the Israelites arrived, many of the original inhabitants had been either destroyed or driven away. The Israelites' entry into the land marked the beginning of a new era in the region's history, one that would be defined by the Hebrew people and their unique religious and cultural practices.
Although the region had been settled by various groups, the Hebrews established a lasting legacy in the form of the Hebrew language, a cultural identity that would endure through the centuries, ultimately becoming recognized as one of the world's most influential languages and cultures.