SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:1
¶ Y cuando todos los reyes de los amorreos, que estaban al otro lado del Jordán al occidente, y todos los reyes de los cananeos, que estaban cerca del mar, oyeron como el SEÑOR había secado las aguas del Jordán delante de los hijos de Israel hasta que hubieron pasado, su corazón se les derritió, y no hubo más espíritu en ellos delante de los hijos de Israel.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 5:1
Verse 1. The Amorites which were on the side of Jordan westward] It has already been remarked that the term Amorite is applied sometimes to signify all the nations or tribes of Canaan. It appears from this verse that there were people thus denominated that dwelt on both sides of the Jordan. Those on the east side had already been destroyed in the war which the Israelites had with Sihon and Og; with those on the west side Joshua had not yet waged war. It is possible however that the Amorites of whom we read in this verse, were the remains of those who dwelt on the east side of the Jordan, and who had taken refuge here on the defeat of Og and Sihon.
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
ויהי 1961 כשׁמע 8085 כל 3605 מלכי 4428 האמרי 567 אשׁר 834 בעבר 5676 הירדן 3383 ימה 3220 וכל 3605 מלכי 4428 הכנעני 3669 אשׁר 834 על 5921 הים 3220 את 853 אשׁר 834 הובישׁ 3001 יהוה 3068 את 853 מי 4325 הירדן 3383 מפני 6440 בני 1121 ישׂראל 3478 עד 5704 עברנו 5674 וימס 4549 לבבם 3824 ולא 3808 היה 1961 בם עוד 5750 רוח 7307 מפני 6440 בני 1121 ישׂראל׃ 3478
