THE CHALLENGE OF THE CANAANITES by William Ford

The negative biblical portrayal of the Canaanites appears to contrast
sharply with the wider portrayal of YHWH’s relationship with humanity
and with Israel in particular, raising a challenge for reading these
parts of the Bible as Scripture. This article considers this portrayal by
drawing together key biblical references to the Canaanites into two
sections: Canaanites as a whole, and as individuals. Four potential
images are evaluated as possible summaries of the biblical portrayal of
the Canaanites: sinners, danger, warning, and challenge, with the last
being the most appropriate. The Canaanites’ proximity to Israel, both
geographic and moral, raises both a negative and positive challenge.
Israelites can become Canaanites and vice versa, depending on their
response to YHWH.