Canaan, the Language of

The phrase "language of Canaan" occurs once in Scripture, in Isaiah 19:18, in the context of a prophecy that five cities in Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the Lord of Hosts. The language of Canaan refers to Hebrew — the Semitic language shared by the Israelites and the original Canaanite inhabitants of the land — which was the language of the divine covenant and worship. The prophecy envisions a future in which Egypt, Israel's ancient oppressor, will be drawn into the worship of Israel's God and speak his people's sacred tongue. This is among the most remarkable universalistic prophecies in the Old Testament, anticipating the spiritual transformation of a pagan nation.