THEOSISWlastow G.K.
The peoples referred to in verse 23 inhabited the land of Canaan during the period when Moses documented their existence. This region, known as Canaan, lies between the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. It does not encompass Phoenicia in the north or the desert in the south. Nevertheless, the Lord assures, as stated in verse 31, that He will broaden the boundaries of Israel if they remain loyal to Him. The phrase "I will destroy," according to Cook, is often interpreted in a maximalist way, which does not align with either historical occurrences or the compassion of God. The annihilation of a nation can be seen as the obliteration of its national identity, leading to the removal of its name from the historical record.
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This extermination should not be construed as the complete eradication of individuals. Many joined the people of Israel under Joshua and throughout the era of the Judges, while others were exiled (notably, the primary adversaries were not the Canaanite tribes but the foreign Philistines). Thus, this extermination refers to the eradication of a nation. Similarly, the destruction of their "pillars" or idols aimed to dismantle their national identity, which was not rooted in a sense of nationality but in a shared worship practice. Had Israel consistently adhered to the commands given to it and established the worship of Jehovah alone in its territory, it would have emerged as the most powerful nation of antiquity, possessing the key to control over the ancient world, bridging Asia and Africa, and wielding naval strength in the Mediterranean.