John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which [were] on the side of Jordan westward , etc.] On the side the Israelites were now on; and this is observed, to distinguish them from the other kings of the Amorites beyond Jordan, on the eastern side, who were already conquered by the Israelites, Sihon and Og, who seem to be a colony that went over from the Amorites in Canaan, and possessed themselves of that part of the land of Moab. These seem to be put for several others of the nations of the land not mentioned, who doubtless were as much dispirited as they; and they are the rather mentioned, because they were a principal nation, and a very powerful and warlike one, (see Amos 2:9). and all the kings of the Canaanites which [were] by the sea ; the Mediterranean sea; the Septuagint version calls them the kings of Phoenicia; and that which was strictly and property so lay on that coast, in which were the cities of Tyre and Sidon, though the whole land of Canaan was sometimes so called; unless this is to be understood, either of the dead sea, or of the sea of Galilee; of which Canaanites, (see Numbers 13:29); however, be they the one or the other, or both, as most likely, when they heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted , neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel ; they lost all their courage, and never recovered it any more; concluding it was all over with them, since such wonderful things were done for them by the Lord: the word “we” shows that the writer of this history was one that passed over Jordan, and who can be supposed but Joshua himself? this circumstance, I think, strongly corroborates that opinion.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God advancing toward them, without being able to turn it aside, or escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked; nor can words express the anguis of their feelings, or the greatness of their terror. Oh that they woul now take warning, and before it be too late, flee for refuge to la hold upon that hope set before them in the gospel! God impressed thes fears on the Canaanites, and dispirited them. This gave a short rest to the Israelites, and circumcision rolled away the reproach of Egypt They were hereby owned to be the free-born children of God, having the seal of the covenant. When God glorifies himself in perfecting the salvation of his people, he not only silences all enemies, but roll back their reproaches upon themselves.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 כשׁמע8085 כל3605 מלכי4428 האמרי567 אשׁר834 בעבר5676 הירדן3383 ימה3220 וכל3605 מלכי4428 הכנעני3669 אשׁר834 על5921 הים3220 את853 אשׁר834 הובישׁ3001 יהוה3068 את853 מי4325 הירדן3383 מפני6440 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 עד5704 עברנו5674 וימס4549 לבבם3824 ולא3808 היה1961 בם עוד5750 רוח7307 מפני6440 בני1121 ישׂראל׃3478
