In the example of Abraham who is coming to the Land of Canaan (which will become the Land of Israel)  Eretz (Land) is from the word "Ratson" desire, and the word Israel (from the hebrew yashar-el "Straight to the Creator") Eretz Israel  is a desire directed directly to the Creator, meaning the attribute of bestowal.

Canaan, from the word Achna'a submission, meaning that one succeed in subduing the egoistic desire, i.e. the intention in order to receive, and raising the importance of the attribute of kindness ('Hesed - which is the attributed attached to Avraham) within him, and therefore it is said that he arrived in the land of "Canaan".

That is, the Torah actually describes an "inner journey" that one makes - a journey in which one slowly leaves its former thoughts and attributes, and begins to break away from its inner Babylon (from the word Bilbul - confusion)  and slowly develop a correct approach to its desire to receive - this step is called the land of Canaan.

In order for the person to continue to develop, another egoistic desire is revealed in him. This is the meaning of Abraham's descent into Egypt. Egypt in Hebrew is Mitzrayim - from the words Mitz Ra, the concentration of evil.

Later on, after they leave Egypt, meaning after we break free from the slavery of our egoistic desires, there is still a long way to go, until we receive the Torah on Mount Sinai, which in Hebrew is "Har Sinay".  The word "Har" Mountain has the same root like the word "Hirhurim" meaning thoughts in hebrew, and "Sinay" which refers to "Sina" Hatred, where we attain the method of correction for the thoughts of hatred.