Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 14:9

"Only rebel not against Jehovah, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is removed from over them, and Jehovah is with us: fear them not." — Numbers 14:9 (ASV)

Their defence is departed from them. —Literally, their shadow. This is a natural and frequently recurring figure of speech in the East, where protection from the scorching rays of the sun is a blessing of incalculable worth. (Psalms 17:8; Psalms 91:1; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 30:2.) The measure of the iniquity of the Canaanites was now full, and they were ripe for destruction. (Leviticus 18:25; Leviticus 20:23.)