Bible Dictionary
Canaan, the language of
“The language of Canaan” refers to the language spoken in the land of Canaan, substantially related to Hebrew. Isaiah uses the expression in a prophecy concerning the future worship of the Lord among the nations.
Definition
“The language of Canaan” refers to the language spoken by the Jews living in Palestine. The language of the Canaanites and Hebrews was substantially alike, and surviving Phoenician fragments show a close analogy to Hebrew.
Biblical Usage
Isaiah uses the expression in a prophecy concerning the future religious confession of the nations.
Historical Background
Canaanitish schools taught Babylonian writing and language, and Babylonian literary tablets were kept in Canaanitish libraries. Babylonian divinities were also adopted by the Canaanites.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Mentioned in Isa. 19:18, denotes the language spoken by the Jews resident in Palestine. The language of the Canaanites and of the Hebrews was substantially the same. This is seen from the fragments of the Phoenician language which still survive, which show the closest analogy to the Hebrew. Yet the subject of the language of the “Canaanites” is very obscure. The cuneiform writing of Babylon, as well as the Babylonian language, was taught in the Canaanitish schools, and the clay tablets of Babylonian literature were stored in the Canaanitish libraries. Even the Babylonian divinities were borrowed by the Canaanites.