The Lord had promised the people of Israel that he would put the fear of them upon the people of Canaan (see Exodus 15:16; Exodus 23:27; Deuteronomy 2:25; Deuteronomy 11:25). Rahab’s report that all of Canaan is terrified confirms that the Lord is keeping his promises and that he will give the land to his people. The Canaanites' fear of the Lord and Israel is a theme that will be seen throughout the book of Joshua (e.g., Joshua 5:1; Joshua 6:1; Joshua 9:1–3; Joshua 10:1–2; Joshua 11:1–5).
9 and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.