Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 13:19

"And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave [them] their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:" — Acts 13:19 (ASV)

And when he had destroyed. Subdued, cast out, or extirpated as nations. It does not mean that all were put to death, for many of them were left in the land; but that they were subdued as nations—they were broken up and overcome. Deuteronomy 7:1: And hath cast out many nations before them, etc.

Seven nations. The Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites (Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 3:10; Nehemiah 9:8).

In the land of Chanaan. The whole land was called by the name of one of the principal nations. This was the promised land, the holy land, etc.

He divided, etc. See an account of this in Joshua 14 and Joshua 15. The lot was often used among the Jews to determine important questions. See Barnes on Acts 1:26.

"seven nations" (Deuteronomy 7:1); "Chanaan" (Joshua 14:1).