יהושע, פרק כ״ג, פסוק י״ג

The presence of foreign nations within the borders of the land poses a constant, multi-dimensional threat to the Israelites. If the conquest is left incomplete, God will stop helping to drive out these enemies. The people will eventually come to realize on their own that God's assistance in removing these nations has ceased [מלבי״ם]. Because true integration with these foreign groups is impossible, allowing them to remain guarantees eternal hatred and the loss of God's favor [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Those nations that are allowed to stay [מצודת דוד] will transform from mere neighbors into active agents of destruction. They will become nets and obstacles [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These hidden traps represent more than just physical threats; they pose a distinct spiritual danger to the people's religion and faith [מלבי״ם].

The danger will strike the people from all sides in various ways. One perspective is that these neighbors will inflict continuous pain, striking like a whip or a rod [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another approach suggests a constant threat of prowling. The foreign nations might roam the borders to rob and plunder [רש״י], or they might maintain a hidden presence on the margins of society, waiting in ambush to cause the Israelites to stumble [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, this threat can take the form of military betrayal. If an external enemy attacks, these local nations will join forces with the invaders and fight against Israel from within [מלבי״ם].

The torment will also be direct and blinding. Most commentators explain this threat as piercing thorns that harm the eyes [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. On a psychological level, even during times of peace, these nations will act out of deep jealousy and hatred to blind and harm the Israelites [מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, this blinding threat represents a military siege, where the enemy completely surrounds and closes in from three different directions [רש״י]. Ultimately, this hostile reality will lead to the complete loss of the land. Because true love and a lasting alliance between the Israelites and these nations are entirely impossible, this process of destruction and loss will unfold as a natural consequence [מלבי״ם].