Deuteronomy 20:16

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

But of the cities {H5892} of these people {H5971}, which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} doth give {H5414} thee for an inheritance {H5159}, thou shalt save alive {H2421} nothing that breatheth {H5397}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"As for the towns of these peoples, which ADONAI your God is giving you as your inheritance, you are not to allow anything that breathes to live.

Berean Standard Bible

However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes.

American Standard Version

But of the cities of these peoples, that Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 20:16 presents a stringent and unique command within Israel's military code, specifically for the cities of the Canaanite nations designated for Israel's inheritance. This divine directive mandates the complete eradication of all living beings within these cities, a policy known as *herem*. This act was not an endorsement of general warfare but a singular, divinely ordained judgment against the profound wickedness, idolatry, and moral depravity of these peoples, serving to purify the land and safeguard the holiness and distinct identity of Israel as God's chosen nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 20:16 is strategically placed within Moses' final address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just prior to their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter meticulously details the laws of warfare, drawing a sharp distinction between two categories of military engagement. Verses 10-15 provide regulations for besieging distant cities, allowing for offers of peace and, if rejected, the taking of plunder and captives. In stark contrast, verses 16-18 specifically address warfare against the cities located within the land that the LORD was granting to Israel as their inheritance. This verse, therefore, marks a crucial shift from general military ethics to a unique, divinely mandated policy of total eradication for the indigenous inhabitants of Canaan. This juxtaposition underscores the exceptional nature of this command, setting it apart as a specific act of divine judgment rather than a standard military practice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in Deuteronomy 20:16 is exclusively directed against the seven Canaanite nations—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, and Girgashites—who occupied the land promised to Abraham's descendants (as detailed in [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1 - Nations to be Dispossessed")). Historically, these cultures were infamous for their egregious religious and moral abominations, including the widespread worship of Baal and Asherah, ritual prostitution, and the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice (cf. [Leviticus 18:21-25](/leviticus/18-21-25 "Leviticus 18:21-25 - Abominations of the Land")). God had patiently endured their escalating wickedness for centuries, as explicitly stated in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"), where it is revealed that the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full. By the time of the Exodus, however, their moral corruption had reached its zenith, warranting divine judgment executed through Israel as God's instrument. This command was not a license for indiscriminate genocide but a unique, localized act of divine justice and purification for a specific land and people group whose profound moral depravity had invited God's righteous wrath.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational theological themes. Firstly, **Divine Judgment** is preeminent; the command is a direct manifestation of God's righteous wrath against unrepentant sin and profound moral depravity. It unequivocally demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty and His intolerance for evil that defiles His creation and His covenant people. Secondly, **Holiness and Separation** are central to the command's purpose. The primary objective of this severe directive was to prevent the spiritual and moral contamination of Israel by the pervasive pagan practices and idolatry of the Canaanites. God's call for Israel to be a holy nation, set apart for Him, necessitated radical measures to ensure their spiritual purity (e.g., [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). Tragically, Israel's failure to fully adhere to this command, as vividly illustrated in the early chapters of [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Israel's Failure to Dispossess"), led to their assimilation of Canaanite practices and subsequent divine discipline. Thirdly, the concept of ***Herem*** (חֵרֶם), often translated as "devotion to destruction" or "utterly destroy," provides a crucial theological framework. This term signifies something irrevocably set apart for God, in this context, for destruction, due to its inherent defilement or its direct opposition to God's holy purposes. This was a radical measure designed to ensure the absolute separation of Israel from the pervasive evil of Canaan, thereby reinforcing God's demand for exclusive devotion and purity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** This term (H5159) denotes something inherited, a possession, heritage, or legacy, most notably referring to the land received from God. In the context of Deuteronomy 20:16, it underscores that the land of Canaan is not merely conquered territory but a divine gift, a promised possession divinely bestowed by the LORD. This divine grant highlights Israel's unique covenant relationship with God and His sovereign right to dispense both judgment and blessing through them. The land itself is considered holy, and its purification is therefore essential for it to remain a fitting and undefiled inheritance for God's holy people.
* **Save alive (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** Derived from the primitive root (H2421) meaning "to live" or "to keep alive," the negative command "thou shalt save alive nothing" is absolute and uncompromising. It emphasizes the totality of the destruction, leaving no room for compromise or partial obedience. This absolute prohibition highlights the severity of the divine judgment and the imperative for Israel to completely eradicate the corrupting influence of the Canaanites. The verb reinforces the theological idea that any remnant of these peoples would pose an existential threat to Israel's spiritual purity and their covenant fidelity.
* **Breatheth (Hebrew, _nᵉshâmâh'_):** This word (H5397) refers to a "puff," "wind," or "vital breath," often used to denote a living being, whether human or animal. The phrase "nothing that breatheth" functions as a comprehensive idiom for all living creatures within the designated cities. Its use here underscores the complete and utter nature of the *herem* command, signifying that no life, human or animal, was to be spared. This ensures the total eradication of the Canaanite presence and their defiling practices from the land, preventing any lingering spiritual contamination.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But of the cities of these people":** This opening clause immediately establishes a critical distinction from the preceding verses (Deuteronomy 20:10-15), which outlined regulations for warfare against distant cities. The phrase "these people" specifically refers to the seven Canaanite nations already identified as inhabiting the Promised Land, whose wickedness and moral depravity had reached a point of no return in God's righteous judgment. This command is therefore not a general policy for all warfare but a targeted, specific act of divine judgment against particular inhabitants.
* **"which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance":** This crucial phrase emphasizes the divine initiative, authority, and ultimate purpose behind the command. The land is not acquired through Israel's military prowess alone but is a gracious gift from Yahweh, their covenant God. The concept of "inheritance" reinforces God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise to Abraham")) and highlights Israel's unique role as both recipients of divine blessing and instruments of divine judgment. The sanctity of the land, as a divine inheritance, necessitated its thorough cleansing from all defiling influences.
* **"thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth":** This is the core imperative of the verse, articulating the policy of *herem* in its most absolute form. The phrase "nothing that breatheth" is an emphatic and all-encompassing declaration, signifying the total destruction of all living beings within the designated cities. This absolute command underscores the severity of God's righteous judgment against the Canaanites' profound sin and pervasive idolatry, and the absolute necessity of preventing their corrupting influence from infiltrating and defiling the nascent nation of Israel. It signifies a complete spiritual quarantine to preserve Israel's covenant holiness.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 20:16 primarily employs **Legal Language** and **Divine Command** to convey its absolute imperative. The verse is structured as a direct, unambiguous decree issued by God to Israel through Moses, a characteristic feature of the legal statutes found throughout the book of Deuteronomy. The use of the imperative "thou shalt save alive nothing" leaves no room for interpretation, negotiation, or partial obedience, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the divine will. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **Contrast** implicit in its placement immediately following the rules for warfare against distant cities. This juxtaposition highlights the unique and exceptional nature of the *herem* command specifically for the immediate inhabitants of the Promised Land. The phrase "nothing that breatheth" functions as a form of **Merism**, representing the totality of life, thereby emphasizing the complete and utter nature of the destruction. While seemingly a **Hyperbole** in its absolute totality, in this specific historical and theological context, it was meant literally as an act of divine judgment. This absolute language underscores the profound seriousness of the divine judgment and the critical importance of Israel's complete obedience for their spiritual preservation and the purity of their inheritance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 20:16 stands as a stark and challenging reminder of God's absolute holiness, His righteous judgment against sin, and His unwavering commitment to preserve the purity of His covenant people. It demonstrates unequivocally that God is not indifferent to evil but actively intervenes in history to address profound moral corruption. While the literal application of *herem* was unique to Israel's historical entry into Canaan as a specific act of divine judgment against deeply depraved nations, the underlying theological principles resonate throughout the entirety of Scripture. This command underscores the profound seriousness of sin in God's eyes, the absolute necessity of radical separation from evil, and the dire consequences of compromising with idolatry and moral depravity. Ultimately, the command reflects God's fervent desire for His people to be wholly devoted to Him, free from the defiling influences of the world.

* [Joshua 6:17](/joshua/6-17 "Joshua 6:17 - Jericho Devoted to Destruction")
* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - No Covenant with Canaanites")
* [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - Saul's Failure to Obey Herem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal command of Deuteronomy 20:16 for physical annihilation is specific to a unique historical context and a singular act of divine judgment, its profound spiritual principles offer timeless lessons for believers today. This passage calls us to soberly recognize the absolute seriousness of sin and its destructive, defiling power, urging us to engage in radical spiritual warfare against the corrupting influences within our own lives and in the world around us. Just as ancient Israel was commanded to utterly destroy the sources of spiritual contamination from their physical inheritance, we are spiritually called to "put off" the old self and its sinful practices, leaving "nothing that breatheth" of our former sinful nature that would compromise our walk with God. This spiritual *herem* means ruthlessly identifying, confessing, and crucifying sinful habits, ungodly thoughts, and unholy desires that seek to defile our hearts and minds. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the vital importance of vigilance against worldly ideologies, cultural norms, and philosophies that directly contradict God's truth, ensuring our unwavering devotion and spiritual purity before Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "saving alive" sinful habits, ungodly attitudes, or worldly influences that need to be utterly destroyed for the sake of my spiritual purity and devotion to Christ?**
* **How does the absolute seriousness of God's judgment against sin, as revealed in this passage, deepen my understanding of His holiness and my own profound need for ongoing repentance and sanctification?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I take today to cultivate greater spiritual separation from the defiling values of the world and to deepen my unwavering commitment to God's holiness in my daily thoughts, words, and actions?**

### FAQ
**Was this command for total destruction moral or just?**

Answer: This question frequently arises due to the apparent harshness of the command in Deuteronomy 20:16. It is crucial to understand that this passage represents a unique, divinely ordained act of judgment, not a universal principle for warfare or a model for human behavior. The Canaanite nations had engaged in extreme wickedness, including child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and pervasive idolatry, for centuries, despite God's patient forbearance (cf. [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites")). This command was God's righteous judgment against their accumulated, unrepentant sin, executed through Israel as His instrument. It was a localized act of divine justice intended to cleanse the land of its profound moral defilement and to protect Israel from spiritual corruption, thereby ensuring the preservation of the covenant lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. From a biblical perspective, God, as the sovereign Creator and righteous Judge of all the earth, possesses the ultimate right to give and take life, and His judgments are always just, even when they appear severe or incomprehensible to human understanding.

**Does this command apply to believers today?**

Answer: The literal command to physically annihilate the inhabitants of cities, as outlined in Deuteronomy 20:16, does not apply to believers today. It was a specific historical mandate given to ancient Israel during their conquest of Canaan, serving a unique purpose of divine judgment and the preservation of Israel's holiness in preparation for the coming of Christ. However, the underlying spiritual principles embedded within this command remain profoundly relevant for believers. We are called to engage in spiritual warfare against sin, evil, and worldly influences (cf. [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")). We are commanded to "put to death" the deeds of the flesh (e.g., [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Sins")), utterly destroying anything in our lives that would defile our relationship with God or compromise our exclusive devotion to Him. Therefore, while not a literal military command, Deuteronomy 20:16 serves as a powerful spiritual reminder of God's absolute holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of radical separation from evil to maintain spiritual purity and fidelity to Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 20:16, though a seemingly harsh Old Testament command, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment by illuminating God's absolute holiness, His righteous judgment against sin, and His ultimate provision for a pure and undefiled inheritance. The command for the total destruction of the Canaanites, who embodied spiritual corruption and idolatry, powerfully foreshadows Christ's decisive and complete victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Just as Israel was divinely commanded to utterly eradicate the enemies of God from their physical inheritance, Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, utterly defeated the spiritual powers that held humanity captive (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual 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 weight of divine judgment against sin that the *herem* command typified. Furthermore, the "inheritance" promised to Israel in Canaan points forward to the eternal spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ—a new heaven and a new earth, perfectly cleansed from all sin and evil, where righteousness dwells eternally (cf. [2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to "put off the old self with its practices" ([Colossians 3:9](/colossians/3-9 "Colossians 3:9 - Putting Off the Old Self")), engaging in a spiritual *herem* against indwelling sin and worldly influences, thereby preparing us for our glorious, undefiled, and eternal inheritance in Him (cf. [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")).

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

Joshua 11:14

And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.

Numbers 21:2

And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.

Numbers 21:3

And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

Joshua 6:17

¶ And the city shall be accursed, [even] it, and all that [are] therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that [are] with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Joshua 6:21

And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

Numbers 33:52

Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:

Deuteronomy 7:1

¶ When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;