Before the arrival of the Israelites, Hazor was a chief city of Canaan and the biggest in the region for its time period, with a population of around 20,000. The city was subservient to the Egyptian empire, but preserved a degree of autonomy. During this period, Hazor was a significant site, with many cultic objects, a large altar, rock-cut tombs, and infant jar-burials.
The arrival of the Israelites marked a significant turning point in Hazor’s history. Joshua’s takeover of Hazor was a significant event, and the city would later become a powerful Solomonic fortress.