The culture at this time was one of 'kill, conquer and plunder' which stretches our understanding.
God now tells the Israelites to massacre the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites to possess the promised land. They are to show no mercy, are to kill everyone, and are to destroy all their cultural symbols such as their altars, idols and the symbols of the goddess Asherah. They are not to inter-marry with the inhabitants of the promised land.
The text says that this invasion of Canaan is in keeping with God's covenant with the Israelites' forefathers which he calls "a covenant of love" which will bring them great blessing as long they "follow the commands, decrees and laws" of God. God tells Israel not to fear the fact that the peoples they will drive out are stronger than them as he will give them victory bit by bit. However they were not to keep the silver and gold from the idols as it was "detestable".
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