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:

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}:

"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.

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.

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

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 20:16 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 20:16 presents a stern and specific command within the context of ancient Israel's military laws and the divine mandate for conquering the Promised Land. This verse outlines a policy of utter destruction for the inhabitants of the cities within the land God was giving to Israel as an inheritance.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' final instructions to the Israelites before they enter the land of Canaan. Chapters 19-21 of Deuteronomy detail various civil and military laws. Specifically, Deuteronomy 20 addresses the rules of warfare. Verses 10-15 differentiate between warfare with distant cities, where terms of peace could be offered and inhabitants taken as tribute or slaves, and warfare with the cities of the immediate, surrounding nations.

Verse 16 falls into the latter category, referring to the "cities of these people," which specifically indicates the seven Canaanite nations that inhabited the land God promised to Abraham's descendants (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:1). This was not a general policy for all warfare, but a unique, divinely ordained act of judgment and purification for the land of Canaan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The command for complete destruction was an act of God's righteous judgment against the extreme wickedness, idolatry, and abhorrent practices (including child sacrifice and ritual prostitution) prevalent among the Canaanite nations. Their "iniquity was not yet full" (as mentioned in Genesis 15:16) for centuries, but by this time, their moral corruption had reached a point requiring divine intervention and eradication.
  • Holiness and Separation: The primary reason for this severe command was to preserve the holiness and purity of Israel. By "sav[ing] alive nothing that breatheth," Israel was to prevent the Canaanites' pagan religious practices and moral depravity from corrupting God's chosen people. God commanded Israel to be holy, "for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44). Failure to obey this command, as seen later in the book of Judges, led to Israel adopting Canaanite idolatry and suffering severe consequences.
  • The Concept of Herem: This command is often understood in terms of the Hebrew concept of herem (ח֡ר֢ם), which means "devotion to destruction" or "utterly destroy." It signifies something set apart for God, in this case, for destruction, due to its defilement or opposition to God's holy purposes. It was a radical measure to ensure the absolute separation of Israel from the pervasive evil of Canaan.

Practical Application

While this specific command for physical annihilation was unique to a particular historical context and divine judgment, it offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It underscores:

  • The seriousness of sin in God's eyes and His ultimate judgment against it.
  • The vital importance of spiritual warfare against sin and evil within our own lives. Just as Israel was to utterly destroy the corrupting influences, believers are called to "put off" the old self and its sinful practices (Colossians 3:8-9), leaving "nothing that breatheth" of our former sinful nature that would corrupt our walk with God.
  • The need for vigilance against worldly influences that can compromise one's faith and devotion to God.

Deuteronomy 20:16 serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, His intolerance for unrepentant wickedness, and His unwavering desire for His people to remain separate and pure unto Him.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 11:14 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ΒΆ 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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ΒΆ 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;