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how long did it take israel to conquer canaan

The conquest of Canaan is commonly estimated at about 7 years in Bible- study references, though some timelines suggest a broader campaign lasting several decades if you include later settlement and unresolved resistance.

Why estimates differ

  • About 7 years : This is the most common summary for Joshua’s main military campaign.
  • Longer if you include settlement : Some sources note that not every Canaanite area was fully brought under control right away, and parts of the land remained contested well into the Judges period.
  • Very specific timeline claims vary : One timeline source gives a much longer span for events from the spies to Joshua’s death, but that reflects the whole arc of conquest-and-settlement, not just the initial invasion.

Simple answer

If you mean the main conquest under Joshua , the short answer is roughly seven years.

TL;DR: The usual estimate is about 7 years , but the full process of settling and securing Canaan took much longer.