The narrative of the Israelites taking possession of the Promised Land, as recounted in the Hebrew Bible, is deeply interwoven with theological and moral considerations that reflect the understanding of God’s sovereignty, justice, and the fulfillment of divine promises.

From the perspective of biblical theology, several reasons are provided for why it was deemed acceptable for the Israelites to take the land:

1. Fulfillment of a Divine Promise: The appropriation of the land by the Israelites is presented as the fulfillment of a promise made by God to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Genesis 12:1-3 introduces God’s promise to Abram (later Abraham) to make of him a great nation and to bless those who bless him. In Genesis 15:18-21, God further promises the land to Abram’s descendants. This promise is reiterated and affirmed throughout the narratives of Genesis.
2. Divine Judgment on the Nations: The Bible suggests that the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites also served as an act of divine judgment against the nations inhabiting the land. These nations were depicted as engaging in practices considered abhorrent to Yahweh (the God of Israel), such as idolatry, child sacrifice, and other forms of moral depravity. Leviticus 18:24-28 and Deuteronomy 9:4-6, for example, indicate that the iniquity of the Canaanites was a reason for their displacement.
3. Sovereignty of God: The Bible reflects the belief in the ultimate sovereignty of God over all the earth. As Creator, God is depicted as having the authority to give land to whomever He chooses. Joshua 1:2-4 recounts God’s command to Joshua to lead the Israelites into the land He is giving them, as He had spoken to Moses.
4. Covenant Relationship: The taking of the land is also tied to the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. Through the covenant, the Israelites are chosen to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5-6). The land is part of the covenantal promise, intended to be a place where they can fulfill their calling to worship and serve Yahweh alone, living according to His laws.

It is important to note that these explanations are rooted in the theological and moral framework of the biblical text. The narratives of conquest and settlement in the Bible are complex and have been subject to various interpretations over the centuries. They raise significant ethical questions and have been discussed and debated by theologians, scholars, and believers in an attempt to understand the nature of God, divine justice, and the ethical implications of these ancient texts in a modern context.