I might not be more versed in scripture. :) But I've made a special study of Old Testament law, especially the laws pertaining to women.
The Israelites were held back from occupying Canaanite territory until two things happened: Their time in Egypt became so arduous that they required rescue, and the Canaanites' evil reached the point where their cultures could not be redeemed. When the Israelites did reach Canaan and conquer it, they often had to destroy just about everything. In some cases, they were not even able to take the gold and silver... that went straight to God. Remember the defeat at Ai? It happened because one of the Israelites had kept back some of the gold for himself. (Note: Some people claim it was unfair for all of his family to be punished for his sin. However, when you're living in a bunch of tents, one family member can't keep back gold without the rest of them all knowing about it.)
The sins of the Canaanites included homosexual sex, pedophilia, bestiality, child sacrifice, murder, lying, theft... not just as things that individuals did against the rules of the society, but as accepted behaviors in the society. Read through Deuteronomy, much of which is a rehash of the Exodus laws... and note how Moses keeps saying after each "Don't do it" list that this is the reason why God is telling the Israelites to destroy the Canaanite towns and cities.
Of course, throughout the Old Testament is the warning that God will destroy the Israelites the same way if they go the same way the Canaanites went... the only difference being that a remnant will survive. And that's precisely what happened!
So though in some cases of conquest the Israelites were allowed to marry among the women, take surviving members as slaves, etc. in most cases for Canaan itself, they were not. And in some cases, they were taking wives when they were not allowed to, and those women taught them and their children how to worship idols and do all sorts of evil things. (Note the prominence and power of women in the society!)
rhjunior
I was uncertain of the exceptions to the "kill them all" command.
The Israelites were held back from occupying Canaanite territory until two things happened: Their time in Egypt became so arduous that they required rescue, and the Canaanites' evil reached the point where their cultures could not be redeemed. When the Israelites did reach Canaan and conquer it, they often had to destroy just about everything. In some cases, they were not even able to take the gold and silver... that went straight to God. Remember the defeat at Ai? It happened because one of the Israelites had kept back some of the gold for himself. (Note: Some people claim it was unfair for all of his family to be punished for his sin. However, when you're living in a bunch of tents, one family member can't keep back gold without the rest of them all knowing about it.)
The sins of the Canaanites included homosexual sex, pedophilia, bestiality, child sacrifice, murder, lying, theft... not just as things that individuals did against the rules of the society, but as accepted behaviors in the society. Read through Deuteronomy, much of which is a rehash of the Exodus laws... and note how Moses keeps saying after each "Don't do it" list that this is the reason why God is telling the Israelites to destroy the Canaanite towns and cities.
Of course, throughout the Old Testament is the warning that God will destroy the Israelites the same way if they go the same way the Canaanites went... the only difference being that a remnant will survive. And that's precisely what happened!
So though in some cases of conquest the Israelites were allowed to marry among the women, take surviving members as slaves, etc. in most cases for Canaan itself, they were not. And in some cases, they were taking wives when they were not allowed to, and those women taught them and their children how to worship idols and do all sorts of evil things. (Note the prominence and power of women in the society!)