Why Did Joshua Conquer the Canaanite Nations by Force?

Yaron asks: "When Joshua entered the land to conquer it by Hashem's command, was there no other way than the killing of the nations inhabiting it?"

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Hello and blessings Yaron,

Hashem is a righteous and merciful God. The morality of the Torah surpasses all human morals, and even about the Egyptians who drowned our sons in the sea, the Torah writes (Deuteronomy, Chapter 23): "Do not despise an Egyptian, for you were a stranger in his land." Even about the Egyptian soldiers who pursued us in the sea, the sages tell us that Hashem said to the angels: "The work of My hands is drowning in the sea and you sing choruses?!" (Megillah, page 10, column 2).

Maimonides wrote that it is forbidden to wage war against any nation before offering peace, and even Amalek — if they repent, it is forbidden to harm them. So it is ruled in the Laws of Kings (Chapter Six): "We do not wage war against anyone in the world unless we first offer peace, whether it is a discretionary war or a commanded war, as it is stated (Deuteronomy Chapter 20) 'When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it peace.' If they make peace and accept the seven Noahide laws, no soul shall be harmed among them. Their treaty should be kept truthfully, and no deceit shall be done to them after making peace."

The nations present during the conquest of the land did not wish for peace nor sought to repent. The Torah tells us that Hashem gave us the land at the expense of these nations because they were wicked, for example, sacrificing their children on altars, being mired in various forms of sexual immorality. Interesting to note, archaeological research found similar evidence about the Canaanite peoples, who were so corrupt that even their places of worship became centers of immoral acts. It should be remembered that these wicked nations dwelling in Canaan were themselves conquerors; trading in slaves, women, and children, they disdained human life, turning a deaf ear to the cries of orphans and widows. In the book of Leviticus (Chapter 19) you'll find a list of the severe sins of the inhabitants, concluding with: "You shall keep My statutes and My judgments and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither the native nor the stranger who sojourns among you — for all these abominations were committed by the men of the land before you, and the land was defiled... You shall keep My charge so as not to do any of these abominable statutes that were done before you, and do not defile yourselves with them, I am the Lord your God."

Idolatry included child sacrifice, incest between family members, sacrificing people on altars, consuming animals' limbs while they were alive, child trafficking, mass immorality, and acts of depravity that are hard to imagine.

Archaeological research also reveals to us the morally low standards of the ancient pagan peoples, about their establishment of large-scale debauchery temples, mass murder of people on altars, and disregard for basic ethical laws regarding interpersonal relations.

In our times, Eastern nations, as well as Christian countries in Europe and America, have adopted foundational values and ethics from our holy Torah. Hence, you find basic moral conduct, judicial systems, assistance to the poor, and so forth. Yet, the ancient nations were devoid of these foundations, thus Hashem gave us the land at their expense.

Despite the wickedness of the ancient peoples, our sages teach us that Joshua son of Nun first sent letters of peace to these nations and offered them the chance to be saved. Indeed, the Torah provides us with numerous examples where different nations tried to attack the Israelites even when they extended peace. (Numbers 21, 21): "Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, Let me pass through your land... We will go by the king's highway until we have passed through your territory,' but Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. Sihon gathered all his people, went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel." The Torah gives us many historical examples of the Israelites' attempts to offer peace, and how various nations tried to exploit the nation's vulnerability in the desert to annihilate them and seize their wealth (examples can be found in the book of Exodus Chapter 17, Numbers Chapter 20, Numbers Chapter 21, Numbers Chapter 25).

The morality of the Torah has always surpassed that of the nations because it taught the world ethics, as the Lord promised (Deuteronomy 4:5): "See, I have taught you statutes and judgments... and you shall keep and do them for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who shall hear all these statutes and say - Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what great nation is there that has a God so near to them, as the Lord our God whenever we call to Him? And what great nation is there that has such righteous statutes and judgments as are in all this Torah, which I set before you today?"