Table of Contents
- π‘οΈ 1. Canaanites β Baal & Asherah
- π‘οΈ 2. Hittites β Influence of Pagan Cults and Fear Gods
- π‘οΈ 3. Amorites β Molech & Amurru
- π‘οΈ 4. Perizzites β Idols without Specific Gods (Spirit of Lawlessness)
- π‘οΈ 5. Hivites β Deceitful Worshippers (Connected to Baal and Serpent Worship)
- π‘οΈ 6. Jebusites β Unyielding Pagan Worship
- π‘οΈ 7. Girgashites β Earthly and Carnal Worship
- π₯ Summary Table
These gods were often connected to demonic strongholds that Israel was warned not to worship. The battle against the Canaanite nations was both physical and spiritual.
π‘οΈ 1. Canaanites β Baal & Asherah #
- Main Deities:
- Baal β Storm god, fertility god, seen as a supreme deity.
- Asherah (Astarte/Ishtar) β Mother goddess, fertility and war.
- Scripture References:
- Judges 2:11β13 β βThen the Israelites did evilβ¦ and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.β
- 1 Kings 18 β Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal.
- Jeremiah 7:18 β βThe children gather woodβ¦ to make cakes for the queen of heaven.β
- Spiritual Stronghold:
- Idolatry, sexual immorality, syncretism with Yahweh worship
π‘οΈ 2. Hittites β Influence of Pagan Cults and Fear Gods #
- Main Deities:
- Teshub β Hittite storm god (adopted from Hurrians)
- Hepat β Queen goddess
- Various underworld and fear spirits known from Hittite inscriptions
- Scripture Reference:
- Genesis 23 β Abraham negotiates with Hittites (cultural presence)
- Deuteronomy 7:1β5 β Command to destroy their altars and gods.
- Spiritual Stronghold:
- Fear, oppression, spiritual intimidation, death cults
π‘οΈ 3. Amorites β Molech & Amurru #
- Main Deities:
- Molech (Milcom) β God of fire and child sacrifice
- Amurru β Patron god of the Amorite region
- Scripture References:
- Leviticus 18:21 β βDo not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech.β
- Amos 2:9β10 β God rebukes Israel for walking in the ways of the Amorites.
- Jeremiah 32:35 β Sacrificing sons and daughters to Molech.
- Spiritual Stronghold:
- Child sacrifice, generational bloodshed, pride
π‘οΈ 4. Perizzites β Idols without Specific Gods (Spirit of Lawlessness) #
- Main Deities:
- No specific gods recorded; likely borrowed from surrounding nations
- Practiced ancestor worship, local idols, and fertility rites
- Scripture References:
- Genesis 13:7 β βQuarreling between herders of Abram and Lot; Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.β
- Judges 1:4β5 β Judah fights Perizzites.
- Spiritual Stronghold:
- Lawlessness, confusion, spiritual vulnerability, open gates to other gods
π‘οΈ 5. Hivites β Deceitful Worshippers (Connected to Baal and Serpent Worship) #
- Main Deities:
- Worshipped Baal, Ishtar, and serpent-related cults
- Practiced divination, trickery, and diplomacy over war
- Scripture References:
- Genesis 34:2 β Shechem the Hivite violates Dinah
- Joshua 9 β Gibeonite deception (Hivites)
- Spiritual Stronghold:
- Deception, false covenants, compromise with darkness
π‘οΈ 6. Jebusites β Unyielding Pagan Worship #
- Main Deities:
- Unknown directly, but archaeological findings tie them to Baal and pagan worship of fertility gods
- Scripture References:
- Joshua 15:63 β Jebusites dwell in Jerusalem
- 2 Samuel 5:6β10 β David conquers Jebus (Jerusalem)
- Spiritual Stronghold:
- Oppression, spiritual pride, resistance to God’s rule
π‘οΈ 7. Girgashites β Earthly and Carnal Worship #
- Main Deities:
- No specific deities listed, but likely engaged in animism, earth worship, and local fertility rituals
- Scripture References:
- Deuteronomy 7:1 β Listed among the nations to be driven out
- Joshua 3:10 β God promises to drive them out
- Spiritual Stronghold:
- Materialism, unbelief, carnal reasoning
π₯ Summary Table #
| Nation | Main Gods | Stronghold | Key Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canaanites | Baal, Asherah | Idolatry, lust, syncretism | Judges 2:11β13; 1 Kings 18 |
| Hittites | Teshub, fear deities | Fear, death cults | Genesis 23; Deut. 7:1 |
| Amorites | Molech, Amurru | Pride, child sacrifice, rebellion | Amos 2:9β10; Jer. 32:35 |
| Perizzites | Local idols | Lawlessness, confusion | Genesis 13:7; Judges 1:4β5 |
| Hivites | Baal, Ishtar, serpent | Deception, compromise, divination | Joshua 9; Genesis 34:2 |
| Jebusites | Baal-related gods | Pride, resistance | Joshua 15:63; 2 Samuel 5:6β10 |
| Girgashites | Earth spirits, animism | Carnality, materialism | Deut. 7:1; Joshua 3:10 |
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