Old Testament Bible Dictionary Project.

Genesis

The book of Genesis is a narrative written by Moses in 1450-1410 B.C. It is the first book of the Law and the very first book of the Bible. The book of genesis is divided in two main parts. The first part of Genesis gives a detail account of the origin of life by God with his infinite power. Genesis 1:1-2:3 describes the creation of the world over a 6 day period followed by a day of rest and in Day 6, land animals and humans were created. It also describes how mankind got corrupted through sins and surveys what became of Adams descendant down to the time of Noah and the great flood. The second part of genesis describes how God begin to elaborate his plan of redemption for the nation of Israel through Abraham, another faithful man, to whom God promises many blessings. The Lord had said to Abram: “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing!” Abraham tried to fulfill God’s promise of a son by taking his wife’s servant Hagar as a slave-wife, but later God gives Abraham and Sarai a son name Isaac and fulfilled his promise. Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Joseph are the key personalities in the book of Genesis.

Joshua

The Lord called Joshua, who was a servant of Moses, to lead the army of Israel to the Promise Land after the death of Moses. Joshua was born in Egypt and was probably the age of Caleb with whom he is often associated. He first appeared during the battle with the Amalekites during the desert travels. Joshua is depicted as a savior, a leader whom faith and loyalty to God will take the children of Israel to a rocky journey. The Lord spoke to Joshua and told him, now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan River to the land I am giving the Israelites. “Be strong and courageous,” God commanded Joshua. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night … then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua as a leader miraculously cross the Jordan River, take the Israelites to their conquest, distribute and settle Canaan. He also led in the covenant renewal at Mount Ebal and Shechem. Some of Joshua contemporaries are Moses, Caleb, Miriam, and Aaron. After these events, Joshua son of Nun, died at age of 110. While many date the exodus in 1290 BC and the conquest in 1250 BC, it seems better to date the exodus in 1446 BC and the conquest in 1406 BC. According to 1 Kgs 6:1, the exodus happened 480 years before Solomon began building the temple (966 BC) in the fourth year of his reign.

Canaan

In the Ancient Near East (ANE) and the Old Testament, Canaan is the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River reaching from the brook of Egypt to the area around Ugarit in Syria or to the Euphrates. The meaning of Canaan has apparently changed over time, the name "Canaanite" is also sometimes used to designate the non-Israelite inhabitants of the land in general. The Israelites when they were led to the promise land by Joshua, who received his promises from God, were commanded to destroy the descants of Canaan then to possess it. The extermination however was never carried out. I will give the whole land of Canaan – the land where you are now residing to you and your descendants after you as a permanent possession. I will be their God, Genesis 17:8.
The "Canaanites," as distinguished from the Amalekites, the Anakim, and the Rephaim were dwellers in the lowlands, the Great Plains and valleys which were the richest and most important parts of Palestine. Settlement within the land of Canaan is attested from Paleolithic times. A Semitic presence in the area is evidenced at 3000 B.C. The cities of Megiddo, Byblos, Ugarit and Jericho also indicates Semitic influences.