When all the kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, who were by the sea, heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, their heart melted, and there was no more spirit in them, because of the children of Israel.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Chanaan. These occupied the countries situated on the Mediterranean sea, as far as Egypt: the Amorrhites dwelt nearer to the lake of Sodom. The whole country is divided between these two nations, including that territory which the Philistines had seized, and which belonged also to Israel. Almost every city had its respective king, according to the ancient custom in the east, intra suam cuique patriam regna finiebantur. Justin. i. Strabo (xvi.) says this was particularly verified in the cities of Phœnicia. Calmet.—Till they. Hebrew “we … their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.” They fainted as it were through fear, and could not take their breath, or according to the Septuagint adopt any thing rational; “they had no prudence,” phronesis. Bible.