John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. [And to] the Canaanites on the east and on the west , etc.] That is, that particular nation of the seven so called, part of which dwelt in the eastern part of the land, by the dead sea, and by the coast of Jordan, ( Numbers 13:29); and others dwelt on the coast of the Mediterranean sea, which was to the west of the land: and [to] the Amorite, and [to] the Hittite, and [to] the Perizzite : which were scattered about in several parts of the country: and the Jebusite in the mountains ; in the mountainous part of Judea, in the mountains about Jerusalem, and which they still inhabited, and did to the times of David: and [to] the Hivite under Hermon, in the land of Mizpeh , so described to distinguish them from the Gibeonites, who were also Hivites. Mizpeh is the place, as Kimchi thinks, where the people of Israel are often said to meet together; which he supposes they did, on account of the great salvation wrought here in Joshua’s time. Hermon was a mountain that adjoined to Lebanon, where it is certain some of the Hivites dwelt, ( Judges 3:3).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - The wonders God wrought for the Israelites were to encourage them to act vigorously themselves. Thus the war against Satan's kingdom carried on by preaching the gospel, was at first forwarded by miracles but being fully proved to be of God, we are now left to the Divin grace in the usual course, in the use of the sword of the Spirit. God encouraged Joshua. Fresh dangers and difficulties make it necessary to seek fresh supports from the word of God, which we have nigh unto u for use in every time of need. God proportions our trials to ou strength, and our strength to our trials. Joshua's obedience in destroying the horses and chariots, shows his self-denial in complianc with God's command. The possession of things on which the carnal hear is prone to depend, is hurtful to the life of faith, and the walk with God; therefore it is better to be without worldly advantages, than to have the soul endangered by them. (Jos 11:10-14)
Original Hebrew הכנעני3669 ממזרח4217 ומים3220 והאמרי567 והחתי2850 והפרזי6522 והיבוסי2983 בהר2022 והחוי2340 תחת8478 חרמון2768 בארץ776 המצפה׃4709
