Vertaling Bijbel, Kanttekeningen SV, [], En zij reisden heen; en [12]Gods verschrikking was over de steden, die rondom hen waren, zodat zij de zonen van Jakob niet achterna jaagden. 12. Dat is, die van God toegezonden en zeer groot was; alzo Ex.23:27; 2 Kron.14:14, en 2 Kron.17:10. Het woord God wordt somtijds gebruikt om de grootheid en uitnemendheid van enige zaak uit te drukken; zie boven, hfdst.13 vs.10. Zonder deze verschrikking zou Jakob met al de zijnen lichtelijk overvallen en vernield geweest zijn, om de daad van Simeon en Levi, te Sichem begaan; boven hfdst.34 vs.25.
M.G. Easton, The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, [1897], Hornet Heb. tsir'ah, "stinging", (Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20; Joshua 24:12). The word is used in these passages as referring to some means by which the Canaanites were to be driven out from before the Israelites. Some have supposed that the word is used in a metaphorical sense as the symbol of some panic which would seize the people as a "terror of God" (Genesis 35:5), the consternation with which God would inspire the Canaanites. In Palestine there are four species of hornets, differing from our hornets, being larger in size, and they are very abundant. They "attack human beings in a very furious manner." "The furious attack of a swarm of hornets drives cattle and horses to madness, and has even caused the death of the animals."