During this time Moses died, and it was under Joshua that the entry into
Palestine was finally made. The Canaanites were put down, but
intermarriage between Hebrews and Canaanites was frequent. Hence came
the ills of idolatry. The Israelites now settled down to an agricultural
and commercial life, entering in many cases into treaties of friendship
with their Canaanite neighbors. This weakened the bonds of union between
the various tribes and might well have led to the ultimate fusion of the
two races; but it was prevented by the rise from time to time of the
Judges, who roused the dying ardor of the tribes and led them to the
extermination of the enemies of Yahweh.