Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 14:45
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, [even] unto Hormah.
45. which dwelt in that hill country ] See on Num 14:25.
Hormah ] lit. ‘the Hormah’; but it occurs here only with the article. A town or district in the south of Palestine whose site is unknown. In Num 21:3 an explanation of the name is given: see notes there.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Unto Hormah – literally, the Hormah: i. e. the banning, or ban-place. Compare Num 21:3; Jos 12:14. According to the view taken of Kadesh (see Num 13:26), Hormah is identified, through its earlier name, Zephath Jdg 1:17, with es-Safah on the southeastern frontier of Canaan, by which the Israelites quitted the Arabah for the higher ground, (or with Sebaita, which lies further to the west, about 25 miles north of Ain Gadis).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
The Canaanite; largely so called, but strictly the Arnorite, as appears from Deu 1:44.
Which dwelt; so they were a part and branch of those that dwelt in the valley, Num 14:25. Or, sat, i.e. placed themselves, lay in ambush, expecting your coming.
Hormah; a place so called afterwards Num 21:3, from the great slaughter or destruction of the Israelites at this time.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
45. even unto HormahThe namewas afterwards given to that place in memory of the immense slaughterof the Israelites on this occasion.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then the Amalekites came down,…. The hill; met the Israelites as they ascended: and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill; the same with the Amorites, one of the seven nations of Canaan,
Nu 13:29;
and smote them; with the sword, having the advantage of them in coming down the hill upon them:
and discomfited them even unto Hormah; the name of a place, so called from what happened there; as Jarchi says; either from this destruction of the Israelites at this time by these their enemies, or from the destruction of the Canaanites by Israel, Nu 21:4; and so here has its name by anticipation; or it may be from both these events, and seems to be confirmed by a third of the like kind, having been in former times called Zephath, Jud 1:17; see Jos 15:30; though some take it to be an appellative here, and not the proper name of a place, and render it even unto destruction, as the Targum of Jonathan, denoting the very great destruction and havoc that were made among them: how many were destroyed is not certain; the judgment threatened them of God soon began to take place, that their carcasses should fall in that wilderness.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(45) Then the Amalekites came down . . . The words which dwelt in that hill may refer to the Canaanites only, or to the Amalekites and the Canaanites, and may denote either permanent residence or temporary occupation. If the reference is, as seems most natural, to a permanent abode, it will follow Num. 14:25, for the latter verse cannot be intended to describe the geographical position of the Canaanites.
Even unto Horman.Or, the place of the ban. The definite article is used in this place, the Hormah. If the Hormah which is here mentioned is identical with the Hormah of Num. 21:3, where the definite article is not used, and with the Hormah of Jdg. 1:17, we must conclude that the name is used proleptically, as is not unfrequently the case in Scripture. It is probable, however, that in each case a different place is denoted by a common name. The cognate verb is employed in Deu. 20:17, where the command is given to devote the Canaanitish nations to utter destruction, i.e., to a state of hormah.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
45. Discomfited Literally, pounded into pieces. “Chased you, as bees do,” Deu 1:44, that is, with great ferocity when exasperated.
Hormah This was the key point from which the roads across the desert, after having been all united, again diverge toward Gaza and Hebron; and its site is still marked by the ruins of a square tower of hewn stones, on the top of a hill which rises a thousand feet above the wady on the edge of which it stands. See Num 21:3, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
I WOULD charge it upon my soul, while reading in this chapter the unhappy conduct of Israel, to seek continually for grace, lest I fall after the same example of unbelief. For am I better than they! No! in no wise. They sinned, it is said, ten times, in tempting GOD, and not hearkening to his voice. Whereas my rebellious and unbelieving heart, hath made it a life of disobedience to the voice and call of GOD all the way along. Oh, thou gracious GOD and FATHER in CHRIST JESUS! how precious to my view is that endearing character in which thou art represented, as not executing the fierceness of thine anger, because thou art GOD and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thy people. And thou, no less ever precious, ever blessed JESUS, by whose unceasing merits, in the complete work of thy redemption, and thy perpetual pleadings, in which Moses as thy representative upon earth stood up for the people, thou ever livest to make intercession for sinners; how increasingly dear art thou in thy person, offices, and character, to my soul under all the renewed convictions I am continually receiving, of my unworthiness and unbelief before thee! LORD JESUS! undertake for me, and by the sweet constraining influences of thy HOLY SPIRIT, guard my poor heart from all murmuring, lest being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, wilderness frames extend the continuance of wilderness dispensations, and even, when in the very view of the promised land, the LORD lead me back again, instead of carrying me up to immediate possession.
Oh, thou HOLY SPIRIT! thou comforter of thy people, and guide into all truth, grant me the same inestimable blessing as Caleb thy servant, that I may follow the LORD fully. And then, under thy divine influences I shall be enabled as he and Joshua did, to stand up for the cause of a faithful master, amidst the gainsaying and evil slander of ungodly and profane men. Oh! for this new heart and right spirit within me, which are both thy free unmerited gift. For then gracious LORD shall I not come into condemnation with the ungodly and unbelieving world, whose carcases fell in the wilderness; but through the FATHER’S gift, and the Redeemer’s blood and righteousness, I shall surely be brought by thee, thou HOLY SPIRIT, into the good land, and attain that rest which remaineth for all the people of GOD. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 14:45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, [even] unto Hormah.
Ver. 45. And smote them. ] To be out of God’s precincts, is to be out of his protection.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Hormah = destruction.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the Amalekites: Num 14:43, Exo 17:16, Deu 1:44, Deu 32:30, Jos 7:5, Jos 7:11, Jos 7:12
Hormah: Num 21:3, Jdg 1:17
Reciprocal: Gen 14:7 – Amalekites Num 21:1 – the way of the spies Jos 12:14 – Hormah Jos 15:30 – Hormah 1Sa 15:33 – As thy sword Psa 81:14 – I should Psa 89:43 – not made
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 14:45. The Canaanites Largely so called, but strictly the Amorites. Hormah A place so called afterward, (Num 21:3,) from the slaughter or destruction of the Israelites at this time.