והעמלקי והכנעני. הוא האמורי כי כל אמורי הוא כנעני ולא חשש הכתוב להפרישו בעבור העמלקי שהוא מבני שם וכנען שהוא אבי האמורי מבני חם וכן וירד העמלקי והכנעני והעד ויצא האמורי ולא הזכיר העמלקי כי האמורי הוא העיקר: NOW THE AMALEKITE AND THE CANAANITE. The Canaanite refers to the Amorite, for every Amorite is a Canaanite.43The Amorites are descended from Canaan. See Gen. 10:16. Scripture does not bother to mention the Amorite by name because the other nation mentioned is the Amalekite, who is of the children of Shem.44Scripture distinguishes between the Canaanite nations when it speaks of the Canaanites per se. However, when it speaks of one of the Canaanite nations along with a non-Canaanite nation, it does not mention its specific name but uses its general name. On the other hand, Canaan, who is the father of the Amorite,45Hence the term Canaanite includes the Amorites. is of the children of Ham.46The Canaanite is mentioned by name and not called the Hammite because Ham had other sons. Then the Amalekite and the Canaanite…came down (Num. 14:45) is similar.47There too the reference is to the Amorite. And the Amorites…came out (Deut. 1:44)48The reference is to the same incident as that in our verse. is proof of this. Scripture does not mention the Amalekite in the aforementioned verse, as the Amorite was the more important.49The Amorite carried the brunt of the battle (Weiser).
יושב בעמק. לארוב לכם ויש אומר אף על פי שהעמלקי והכנעני יושבים בעמק פנו דרך ים סוף ולא תפחדו והנה ישראל לא עשו תשובה על כן דבר השם: DWELT IN THE VALE. To ambush you. Others say that the meaning of our verse is, even though the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley, turn toward the way of the Red Sea and do not fear.50That the Canaanites and Amalekites shall pursue you. Now the Israelites did not repent, hence God’s word.51Do not go up for the Lord is not in your midst (v. 42). I.E. believed that verses 39 and 40 do not imply that Israel repented.