Introduction
The biblical narrative of Joshua’s conquest of Canaan represents a pivotal moment in ancient Near Eastern history. Traditionally dated to the late 15th century BC, this conquest marks the transition of the Israelites into the Promised Land. A key historical question is whether Egypt, the dominant regional power, interfered militarily during this period. This article examines the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose IV, proposed as the Egyptian ruler during Joshua’s conquest (c. 1401–1391 BC), and explores whether Egypt’s political and military actions support the biblical account of a relatively unchallenged Israelite incursion into Canaan.
Thutmose IV: A Brief Overview
Thutmose IV, the eighth Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, ruled approximately from 1401 to 1391 BC. His reign, though brief, was significant in stabilizing Egypt after the expansionist campaigns of his grandfather, Thutmose III. Unlike his predecessor, Thutmose IV’s military record reveals a focus on maintaining Egypt’s borders rather than pursuing further territorial expansion.
Egyptian Military Activity During Thutmose IV’s Reign
Archaeological and textual records from Thutmose IV’s reign show limited evidence of military campaigns beyond Egypt’s southern frontier in Nubia. Fortifications and inscriptions attest to Nubian expeditions designed to suppress local unrest and secure vital trade routes. However, there is a notable absence of recorded campaigns or large-scale military operations in the Levant, including Canaan.
The famed “Dream Stele” of Thutmose IV, erected between the paws of the Great Sphinx at Giza, emphasizes divine legitimization rather than military conquest, reinforcing the interpretation of a relatively peaceful reign.
The Biblical Account of Joshua’s Conquest
According to the Book of Joshua, the Israelite tribes conducted a swift and decisive conquest of Canaanite city-states, facilitated by divine intervention. The narrative depicts minimal resistance from external powers, suggesting the absence of major Egyptian interference during this period.
The conquest of Joshua coincides with the reign of Thutmose IV if one aligns biblical and Egyptian timelines carefully.
Egypt’s Political and Military Position in the Late 15th Century BC
During the late 15th century BC, Egypt was a dominant regional power but was primarily concerned with securing its southern borders and internal stability following the reign of Thutmose III. The lack of documented military campaigns in Canaan under Thutmose IV suggests a period of relative Egyptian disengagement from Levantine affairs.
This geopolitical context would have allowed emerging powers or migrating groups, such as the Israelites, to assert themselves in Canaan without facing direct Egyptian military opposition.
Conclusion
The reign of Thutmose IV provides a plausible historical backdrop for the biblical account of Joshua’s conquest of Canaan. Egypt’s focus on Nubian security and internal consolidation, combined with the absence of military campaigns in the Levant, supports the thesis that Egypt did not intervene militarily during the Israelite incursion c. 1398–1391 BC.
While this does not prove the biblical narrative in its entirety, it aligns well with the archaeological and historical record, reinforcing the possibility that Joshua’s conquest occurred during a window of Egyptian military inactivity in Canaan.