Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 14:45

"Then the Amalekite came down, and the Canaanite who dwelt in that mountain, and smote them and beat them down, even unto Hormah." — Numbers 14:45 (ASV)

Then the Amalekites came down ... — The words “which dwelt in that hill” may refer to the Canaanites only, or to the Amalekites and the Canaanites, and may denote either permanent residence or temporary occupation. If the reference is, as seems most natural, to a permanent dwelling, it will follow Numbers 14:25, for that latter verse cannot be intended to describe the geographical position of the Canaanites.

Even unto Hormah.— Or, the place of the ban. The definite article is used in this place, the Hormah. If the Hormah which is here mentioned is identical with the Hormah of Numbers 21:3, where the definite article is not used, and with the Hormah of Judges 1:17, we must conclude that the name is used proleptically, as is not infrequently the case in Scripture. It is probable, however, that in each case a different place is denoted by a common name. The cognate verb is used in Deuteronomy 20:17, where the command is given to devote the Canaanitish nations to utter destruction, i.e., to a state of hormah.