14. An Internal Revolution Instead of Conquest?
Some scholars propose an internal social revolution theory, in which lower class Canaanites rebelled and formed what later became Israel. Although there is no direct archaeological confirmation for a rapid conquest, the biblical narrative is still culturally and theologically important. It reflects the Israelites’ self-understanding and self-identification as a people chosen by God, who had received divine promises.
As one prominent scholar put it: “Almost without exception, scholars agree that the account in Joshua holds little historical value vis-à-vis early Israel and most likely reflects much later historical times“. The biblical account of the conquest of Canaan provides a powerful narrative of divine victory and fulfillment of promises, but archaeological evidence suggests a more nuanced historical reality.
