Deuteronomy 2:34

KJV

And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:

KJV (with Strong's)

And we took {H3920} all his cities {H5892} at that time {H6256}, and utterly destroyed {H2763} the men {H4962}, and the women {H802}, and the little ones {H2945}, of every city {H5892}, we left {H7604} none to remain {H8300}:

Complete Jewish Bible

At that time we captured all his cities and completely destroyed every city - men, women, little ones - we left none of them.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time we captured all his cities and devoted to destruction the people of every city, including women and children. We left no survivors.

American Standard Version

And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones; we left none remaining:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 2:34 recounts a decisive victory for the Israelites over King Sihon of Heshbon, detailing the thoroughness of their conquest. As Moses recounts Israel's journey through the wilderness, this verse highlights the complete destruction of Sihon's cities and their inhabitants—men, women, and children—a divinely commanded act of *herem* (devotion to destruction) that served as both judgment against the Amorites' profound wickedness and a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness in delivering the Promised Land to His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Moses' retrospective account of Israel's forty-year wilderness wanderings, specifically detailing their initial encounters and conquests east of the Jordan River. Following a period of peaceful passage through Edom and Moab, Israel sought similar passage through the Amorite territory of King Sihon, promising to adhere to a strict non-interference policy and pay for all provisions ([Deuteronomy 2:26-28](/deuteronomy/2-26-28 "Deuteronomy 2:26-28 - Moses' Request to Sihon")). However, Sihon refused, and as [Deuteronomy 2:30](/deuteronomy/2-30 "Deuteronomy 2:30 - God Hardens Sihon's Heart") explains, "the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day." This divine orchestration sets the stage for the battle and the subsequent *herem* action, emphasizing that the victory was not merely a military triumph but a fulfillment of God's sovereign plan to dispossess the wicked inhabitants and prepare the land for Israel. The narrative then immediately shifts to the conquest of Og, King of Bashan, underscoring a pattern of divinely enabled victories as Israel approaches Canaan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amorites were a prominent Semitic people group in the ancient Near East, with various tribal groups inhabiting regions including Transjordan. King Sihon ruled from Heshbon, a strategically important city. The practice described in this verse, "utterly destroyed" (Hebrew: *ḥāram*), refers to a specific form of holy war or "devotion to destruction" commanded by God. This was not a general license for warfare or an an act of wanton cruelty, but a unique, divinely mandated judgment against particular nations—especially those in Canaan—whose iniquity had reached its full measure ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). The purpose of *herem* was multifaceted: it served as divine judgment against extreme idolatry, child sacrifice, and moral depravity; it prevented Israel from being corrupted by these pagan practices; and it underscored God's absolute sovereignty and holiness. This practice was distinct from typical ancient Near Eastern warfare, which often involved enslavement, tribute, or assimilation, as *herem* explicitly forbade Israel from taking plunder or incorporating the defeated population.
* **Key Themes:** The conquest of Sihon's territory and the *herem* action in [Deuteronomy 2:34](/deuteronomy/2-34 "Deuteronomy 2:34 - Conquest of Sihon") contribute significantly to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Judgment and Holiness**. God's absolute holiness demands a radical separation from profound evil, and the *herem* was a severe, yet just, response to generations of Amorite wickedness. Secondly, it highlights **Obedience and Fulfillment of Promise**. Israel's actions were a direct response to God's command, demonstrating their obedience and leading to the successful acquisition of territory. This victory served as a tangible sign of God's active role in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants regarding the land ([Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command for Utter Destruction"), [Deuteronomy 20:16-18](/deuteronomy/20-16-18 "Deuteronomy 20:16-18 - Laws of Warfare")). Thirdly, the passage underscores **God's Sovereignty and Providence**, revealing that even Sihon's refusal to grant passage was part of God's plan to deliver him into Israel's hand. This foundational victory east of the Jordan provided crucial momentum and confidence for Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land to the west.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _ḥāram'_):** The Hebrew verb חָרַם (*ḥāram*) is crucial for understanding this verse. It is often translated as "to utterly destroy," "to devote," or "to put under the ban." Its fundamental meaning is "to set apart for God," either for sacred use or, in the context of warfare, for complete destruction as an act of consecration to God. When applied to people or cities in warfare, it signifies that they are irrevocably given over to God's judgment, often through annihilation. This was not for Israel's personal gain, plunder, or pleasure, but as an act of worship and divine judgment against severe sin and idolatry, ensuring Israel's separation from the corrupting influence of these pagan societies. It implies a radical, uncompromising devotion to God's will and a purging of evil from the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And we took all his cities at that time,"**: This clause establishes the immediate outcome of the battle with King Sihon. "We" refers to the Israelites under Moses' leadership. The phrase "all his cities" emphasizes the totality of the conquest, indicating a comprehensive victory over Sihon's dominion, not just a single battle. This territorial acquisition was a significant step in Israel's journey towards possessing the land promised by God.
* **"and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city,"**: This is the core of the *herem* command in this context. The phrase "utterly destroyed" (from *ḥāram*) signifies the complete annihilation of the population, including all age groups. The inclusion of "women, and the little ones" is particularly jarring to modern sensibilities but underscores the radical nature of the divine judgment against the pervasive wickedness of these specific Amorite inhabitants. It was a measure to prevent the spiritual and moral corruption of Israel through intermarriage, idolatry, and the adoption of abhorrent pagan practices like child sacrifice, which were characteristic of the Canaanite cultures.
* **"we left none to remain:"**: This final clause reinforces the absolute thoroughness of the *herem*. It serves as a powerful reiteration of the command's execution, emphasizing that no survivors were left who could potentially re-establish the pagan culture or corrupt Israel. This complete eradication was a direct act of obedience to God's specific command for this unique historical period and context.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is evident in the emphasis on totality: "all his cities" and "of every city," culminating in "we left none to remain." This repetition underscores the comprehensive nature of the conquest and the *herem* command. The stark, declarative statement functions as a **Narrative Report**, recounting a pivotal historical event with unvarnished directness, characteristic of Moses' recounting of Israel's journey. The phrase "we left none to remain" also carries an element of **Hyperbole**, common in ancient military reports, to convey the decisive and complete nature of the victory, even if a few individuals might have escaped. More profoundly, the entire account is framed by **Divine Command and Fulfillment**, where God's hardening of Sihon's heart and the subsequent *herem* are presented as the direct execution of His sovereign will and judgment, transforming a military engagement into a theological statement about God's justice and His commitment to His covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The conquest and *herem* in Deuteronomy 2:34 present a profound theological challenge, yet they are central to understanding God's character and His dealings with humanity in specific historical contexts. This passage reveals God as absolutely holy, just, and sovereign, capable of executing severe judgment against nations whose wickedness and rebellion against His moral order have reached their zenith. The *herem* was not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a unique, divinely ordained measure to protect the nascent nation of Israel from the pervasive moral and spiritual corruption of the Canaanite peoples, thereby preserving the purity of the covenant line through which the Messiah would eventually come. It underscores that God's patience with sin has limits, and His justice will ultimately prevail. While difficult, this account serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin and the seriousness of God's judgment, particularly against practices like idolatry and child sacrifice that deeply offended His holiness.

* [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")
* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command for Utter Destruction")
* [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Land Vomits Out Inhabitants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 2:34, with its depiction of total destruction, is undeniably one of the most challenging passages in the Old Testament for modern readers. It compels us to grapple with the nature of divine justice and the unique historical context of God's commands to Israel. While the specific command of *herem* warfare is not a universal mandate for believers today, the underlying principles of God's holiness, His intolerance for profound evil, and the necessity of radical separation from corrupting influences remain eternally relevant. For the believer, this passage calls for a spiritual *herem*—a decisive and uncompromising "utter destruction" of sin, idolatry, and anything that competes for God's rightful place in our lives. We are called to put to death the "old self" with its sinful desires ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Nature")) and to wage spiritual warfare against the schemes of the enemy, leaving "none to remain" that would lead us away from Christ and His kingdom. This requires vigilance, repentance, and a radical commitment to purity and obedience, recognizing that compromise with sin can lead to spiritual corruption and separation from God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the concept of *herem* as a unique, divinely commanded act of judgment against specific, extreme wickedness help reconcile this passage with God's character of love and justice?**
* **In what ways does this passage challenge my understanding of God's holiness and His response to sin?**
* **What "cities" or "inhabitants" (i.e., sinful habits, idolatrous desires, worldly influences) in my own life might God be calling me to "utterly destroy" and leave "none to remain" for the sake of spiritual purity and obedience?**
* **How can the thoroughness of Israel's obedience to God's command in this passage inspire my own commitment to radical obedience in my spiritual walk?**

### FAQ
**Was the destruction described in Deuteronomy 2:34 an act of genocide?**

Answer: The term "genocide" refers to the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. While the outcome in Deuteronomy 2:34 (the complete destruction of the Amorite population in Sihon's cities) appears similar to genocide in its thoroughness, the biblical account presents it as a unique, divinely commanded act of **judgment** against specific nations whose wickedness and moral depravity (including practices like child sacrifice, idolatry, and sexual perversion) had reached a critical point ([Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"); [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Land Vomits Out Inhabitants")). This was not motivated by ethnic hatred or territorial expansion for its own sake, but by God's holiness and His need to protect His covenant people, Israel, from spiritual corruption. The *herem* was a specific, limited command for a particular time and place, not a universal mandate for all warfare. It was distinct from human-initiated genocide, which is always condemned in Scripture as an act of evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 2:34 describes a physical act of judgment and destruction, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the spiritual realm, revealing God's absolute intolerance for sin and His radical provision for cleansing and new creation. Just as the *herem* in the Old Testament purged the land of profound evil to prepare it for God's people, Christ's work on the cross utterly "destroyed" the power of sin and death, disarming the spiritual forces of evil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He is the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the full judgment against human wickedness so that those who believe might be spared. Furthermore, Christ's return will usher in the final, comprehensive judgment against all evil, where sin and its effects will be "utterly destroyed" from creation, and a new heaven and new earth, "in which righteousness dwells," will be established for His redeemed people ([Revelation 19](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19 - The Rider on the White Horse and the Final Battle"); [2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Thus, the radical separation from evil seen in Deuteronomy 2:34 foreshadows the even more radical and complete spiritual victory and purification accomplished by Christ, both in the individual believer's life and in the consummation of His kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 7:2

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

1 Samuel 15:3

Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Deuteronomy 3:6

And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.

Joshua 7:11

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put [it] even among their own stuff.

1 Samuel 15:8

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

1 Samuel 15:9

But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all [that was] good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing [that was] vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: