In contrast to Judges 3:3 the nations here represent the entirepopulation of W. Palestine. Such is the significance of this conventional list of the six (Exodus 3:8 + 8 times) or the seven (with the Girgashites, +Deuteronomy 7:12 times) races of Canaan, in JE and the Deut. writers. The connexion of Judges 3:5 with the foregoing may be this: the nations were left to test Israel (Judges 2:20-22; Judges 3:1); but Israel, once settled among them (Judges 3:5), did not stand the test (Judges 3:6).

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