Definition: [And to] the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and [to] the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and [to] the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Joshua 11:3. It’s a pretty fascinating and somewhat strange passage about God’s plan to conquer Canaan (the land that is now Israel). Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: God wants to completely eliminate all the people of Canaan – including the Israelites, the Philistines, the Canaanites, and anyone else who lived there – by forcefully driving them out. He intends to do this with a very specific, detailed list of groups. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “And to” : This is a crucial word that means “and to” – it’s an instruction or command. “the Canaanite on the east and on the west” : This refers to people from the eastern part of the land, likely the Philistines, who were already living there. It's a symbolic reference to the east and west sides of the land. “and [to] the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains” : These are groups from further south – the Amorites (a Semitic people), the Hittites (from Turkey), the Perizites (from the region of Syria), and the Jebusites. They were often seen as enemies of Israel. “and [to] the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh” : This is where it gets really interesting. "Mizpeh" refers to a specific area near Jerusalem, which was considered a holy place for the Israelites. The Hivites were an ancient group of people who lived in the region of Mount Hermon and were known to be troublesome. So, God wants to eliminate these people from this particular spot. Putting it all together – The Overall Meaning: God is giving specific instructions to completely eliminate any population that poses a threat or challenges to Israel’s future. He's using this list of groups as a way to ensure that no one can interfere with the Israelites' journey and establish their kingdom in Canaan. It’s a clear, almost military-focused command to drive out anyone who is an obstacle. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of God’s judgment and the need for Israel to be secure in its land. It doesn't necessarily mean that these groups were actually enemies in the way we understand it today. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this further? For example, would you like a deeper dive into: The context of the story in the Bible? The significance of "Hermon"? The history of these groups?