John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. For the Canaanites , etc.] Those that dwell on the east and on the west of the land, (see Joshua 11:3); who were one of the seven nations: and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear [of it] ; of this defeat; not only the Amorites, among whom they now were, and the Canaanites before mentioned, but the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites; and shall environ us round ; come with all their forces from all parts of the land, and surround us, so that there will be no escaping for us: and cut off our name from the earth ; utterly destroy us, that we shall be no more a nation and people, and the name of an Israelite no more be heard of, (see Psalm 83:4); and what wilt thou do unto thy great name ? this, though mentioned last, was uppermost in the heart of Joshua, and was reserved by him as his strongest argument with God to appear for them and save them; since his own glory, the glory of his perfections, his wisdom, goodness, power, truth, and faithfulness, was so much concerned in their salvation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-9 - Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God' wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any tim urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy grea name? Let God be glorified in all, and then welcome his whole will.
Original Hebrew וישׁמעו8085 הכנעני3669 וכל3605 ישׁבי3427 הארץ776 ונסבו5437 עלינו5921 והכריתו3772 את853 שׁמנו8034 מן4480 הארץ776 ומה4100 תעשׂה6213 לשׁמך8034 הגדול׃1419
