Amarna Letters: Extra Biblical Evidence of the Conquest

Is there any extra biblical evidence of the Hebrew conquest on the Canaanites?

Yes! However, before exploring the relevant data I want to point out that archaeological evidence is akin to stain glass windows. You see a church or cathedral can stand and function completely without stain glass windows. Such is the Christian Faith. However, the stain glass windows increase and aid in creating the atmosphere and attitude of reverence when entering the house of worship. Archaeology, therefore, is not a crutch to help our faith stand. Our faith, and confidence in the written divine self-revelation of God—The Bible, stands because of a full reliance on the person and promises of Jesus Christ for our present and personal justification, ongoing sanctification begun in the new birth and adoption by the indwelling Holy Spirit as a child of God. Archaeology is, rather, beautiful stained glass windows that bring a new and fuller appreciation for God and His Word. Now, to the data!

The Amarna letters are tablets from the 14^th century BC. They are correspondents between Canaanite city-state kings and Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The correspondents of importance to the question at hand deals with the Canaanite kings requesting military aid from Eygpt to quell the conquest of the Apiru. Thus, this is of special interest because the ‘Apiru’ fit the exact description of the Hebrew people. Also, the name ‘Apiru’ among ancient peoples fits the name ‘Hebrew’ more than any other. Thus, the data supports the account of the Hebrew people moving into Canaan and attacking and conquering cities and Egypt’s reluctance to enter the conflict. 

How did Abraham get Rich?

Historical study is a wonderful boon for understanding God’s word. For instance, how many times have we, as every day Christians, read over the fact that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were incredibly wealthy? In Genesis 24:35 we read, “"The LORD has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys.” (emphasis added). In this passage we see Abraham’s servant proclaiming the riches of his master Abraham, who had sent this servant out to secure a wife for his son. This scripture is incredibly explicit in regard to the vast wealth of Abraham. But, how did he amass this wealth? Let’s not forget that he left his homeland and the security of his native community.

            When you begin to dig into the culture and economics of Abraham’s location and time, 1900’s BC, you find that camels brought wealth. The ability to traverse the land safely in order to transport goods was a sure way to gain wealth. Plus, leaving his “urban” community, it was much different than what we think when we think urban, and moving to land near present day Israel provided pasture for livestock to flourish and crops to be grown. Taking all of this data together it is easy to see that having food and wool, with an accompanying was to transport it in the ancient world, would have brought Abraham the opportunity to become very wealthy. I say, “opportunity” because I think that God and Abraham’s obedience to God had as much if not more to do with his earthly blessing of wealth than everything else. Abraham may have left Ur a well off man, but he grew in riches because he trusted God. More than the riches he gained, his faith was “credited to him as righteousness” by God. That is how we enjoy the blessings of this world with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4) and, at the same time, “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).