Joshua 13:4

“From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, etc.] That is, of those Canaanites who were particularly so called, in distinction from those of the other nations or tribes, and who dwelt in several parts of the land, some in the east and others in the west, (see <061103>Joshua 11:3); and, as it seems here, some in the south: now on the side of the south, as Kimchi interprets it, all the land of the Canaanites was left, that is, remained unconquered and not possessed: and Mearah that [is] beside the Sidonians; the inhabitants of Sidon, and parts adjacent: what this place was, which belonged to the Sidonians, for so it may better be rendered, is not certain; some take it to be a cave…”

“all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah--("the cave") that is beside the Sidonians--a mountainous region of Upper Galilee, remarkable for its caves and fastnesses. unto Aphek--now Afka; eastward, in Lebanon. to the borders of the Amorites--a portion of the northeastern territory that had belonged to Og. The third district that remained unsubdued:”

“Read “on the south,” and connect the words with the verse preceding. They indicate the southern limit of the still unconquered territory in this neighborhood, as Joshua 13:3 gives the northern one. Mearah - The “cave” (see the margin) has been referred to “Mugar Jczzin” (“cave of Jezzin”), between Tyre and Sidon, or to a district characterized by deep cave-like ravines near Sidon and Dan-Laish. return to 'Top of Page'”

“From the south - That is, from those southern parts of the sea - coast, now possessed by the Philistines, all the more northern parts of the sea - coast being yet inhibited by the Canaanites, almost as far as Sidon. The Amorites - The Amorites were a very strong and numerous people, and we find them dispersed in several parts, some within Jordan, and some without it, some in the south and others in the north, of whom he speaks here. Joshua 13:6”

“13:4-6a The Sidonians (that is, Phoenicians; see Isa 23:11; Obad 1:20; Acts 11:19) lived in the north along the coast, from north of Mount Carmel to above Gebal (Byblos). They also apparently occupied the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges. Sidon was the dominant Phoenician city when Israel entered Canaan.”

“the land of: Jos 10:40, Jos 11:3, Jos 12:7, Jos 12:8 Mearah: or, the cave Aphek: This is probably the Aphek spoken of in Kg1 20:26. Kg2 13:18, as the capital of the kings of Syria; and the same as is mentioned by Sozomen, Eusebius, and Theophanes, as situated near the river Adonis (now Nahr Ibrahim), between Heliopolis and Byblos, and celebrated for the infamous temple of Venus the Aphacite. The village Afka, situated in the bottom of a valley, and hour and three quarters from Akoura, and three hours' distance from Lake Liemoun, is supposed to occupy its site. Burckhardt, however, could not hear of any remains of antiquity in it neighbourhood. Jos 19:30; Sa1 4:1 the Amorites: Jdg 1:34-36…”