The Canaanite, i.e. the Canaanites, as Genesis 12:6, the singular number for the plural, as Psalms 78:45, Psalms 105:33,40. Dwelled then in the land, i.e. were the lords and owners of it; and therefore Abram and Lot could not take what pastures they pleased, but such as the others left them, which was not sufficient for their conveniency. It may also be added as a reason of Abram's following motion, because that idolatrous people were present, and diligently observed all their contentions and other miscarriages; and would, doubtless, take occasion thence to disparage the true religion. And it must be remembered, that these are the words not of Abram, but of Moses; who, knowing that the Canaanites were then speedily to be turned out of the land, intimates that the case was otherwise in Abram's days, when the Canaanites were possessed, and were likely to continue the possessors and lords of the land.
Related Commentaries of Genesis 13:7
Genesis 13:7
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.