Deuteronomy 2:34

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:

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}:

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

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.

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

Deuteronomy 2:34 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's journey towards the Promised Land, detailing their conquest of the Amorite cities belonging to King Sihon of Heshbon. This verse, part of Moses' recounting of their wilderness experiences, highlights the thoroughness of the victory, stating that "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:"

Context

Before this conquest, Israel had sought a peaceful passage through Sihon's territory, promising to stay on the highway and pay for provisions (Deuteronomy 2:26-28). However, Sihon refused and came out to fight Israel. The text explains that the Lord God had hardened Sihon's spirit and made his heart obstinate, so that He might deliver him into Israel's hand. This victory was a direct fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land east of the Jordan, serving as a sign of His faithfulness and power as they prepared to enter Canaan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Herem Warfare: The phrase "utterly destroyed" (Hebrew: ḥāram) refers to a specific practice of holy war or "devotion to destruction." This was not random brutality but a divinely commanded act against nations whose wickedness and idolatry had reached a critical point (Genesis 15:16). The purpose was to prevent Israel from being corrupted by the extreme moral depravity and pagan practices of these inhabitants, ensuring the purity of their worship and covenant relationship with God. This form of warfare was unique to specific historical circumstances and specific nations, especially those in Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
  • Obedience and Fulfillment of Promise: Israel's actions here were a direct response to God's command. Their obedience led to the successful acquisition of territory, demonstrating God's active role in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants regarding the land.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb translated "utterly destroyed" is ḥāram (חרם), which fundamentally means "to devote" or "to put under the ban." In the context of warfare, it signifies that the conquered people and their possessions were consecrated to God, often through complete destruction. This was not for Israel's gain or pleasure, but as an act of worship and judgment against severe sin and idolatry, ensuring Israel's separation from the corrupting influence of these pagan societies.

Practical Application

While the concept of herem warfare is challenging for modern readers, understanding it requires recognizing God's absolute holiness and His severe judgment against profound evil. This passage reminds us:

  • God's Justice: God is just and righteous, and His patience with sin has limits. The judgment seen here is a severe, yet just, response to generations of extreme wickedness.
  • Spiritual Warfare: For believers today, the concept can be analogously applied to spiritual warfare. We are called to "utterly destroy" the spiritual enemies of sin, idolatry, and corrupting influences in our own lives, leaving "none to remain" that would lead us away from God (Ephesians 6:11-12).
  • The Uniqueness of God's Commands: It is crucial to understand that herem was a specific command for a specific time and people, not a universal mandate for all warfare or human conflict. The New Testament emphasizes God's love for all humanity and the call to reconciliation, forgiveness, and evangelism, rather than physical destruction of enemies.
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 7:2 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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: