These four names represent the entire land of Canaan, as also confirmed in Joshua 13:2–6: southwest (Philistines), northwest (Sidonians), northeast (Hivites), southeast (Canaanites). Since the spiritual crisis in Israel encompasses the entire nation, it is appropriate that all of the tribal territories be included in Yahweh’s test.
1 Not one piece of Israel is untouched by spiritual apostasy.
3 These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath.