And the coast of the Amorites was from—the rock— By the rock, the Vulgate understands the city of Petra, in the Hebrew סלע selang, which stood upon the confines of Idumaea, and was the capital of Arabia Petraea; Amaziah called it Joktheel, 2 Kings 14:7. It is remarkable, that some of the old inhabitants continued there till after our Saviour's time. See Bishop Patrick.
From the whole we may observe, that sloth and covetousness, unbelief of God's power, and want of detestation of idolatry, were still too much rooted in this stiff-necked people; yet God wonderfully bore with them.