Joshua 11:16-23 - Who's responsible for the extermination of the Canaanites?

April 27, 2025

Jeff Harrington

Joshua 11:16-23 summarizes the Israelites' complete conquest of the land of Canaan. Over a long time, Joshua captured all the land and all the kings. Except for the Hivites of Gibeon, no city made peace with Israel, and the Lord hardened the hearts of the Canaanite kings to ensure their destruction, and the land had rest from war. Are the Canaanite kings to blame because they refused to make a treaty like the Hivites of Gibeon, or is God to blame because He hardened their hearts?