# These nations were left

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh left these nations in Canaan" or "Yahweh allowed these nations to continue to live in Canaan" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])

# as a means

"as a way"

# whether they would ... gave their ancestors

The words "they" and "their" refer to the people of Israel.

# the commands he gave

"the commands Yahweh gave"