CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 13:16 And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square, and completely burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/13-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/05_Deu_13_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 13:16 - Idolatrous Cities to Be Destroyed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square, and completely burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/13-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/13-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm" title="Deuteronomy 13:15">◄</a> Deuteronomy 13:16 <a href="/deuteronomy/13-17.htm" title="Deuteronomy 13:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/13.htm">New International Version</a> You are to gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt, <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the open square and burn it. Burn the entire town as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> You shall gather all its spoil into the midst of its open square and burn the city and all its spoil with fire, as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. It shall be a heap forever. It shall not be built again. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square, and completely burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/13.htm">King James Bible</a> And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/13.htm">New King James Version</a> And you shall gather all its plunder into the middle of the street, and completely burn with fire the city and all its plunder, for the LORD your God. It shall be a heap forever; it shall not be built again. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then you shall gather all its plunder into the middle of its public square, and burn the city and all its plunder with fire as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God; and it shall be a ruin forever. It shall never be rebuilt. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Then you shall gather all its booty into the middle of its open square and burn the city and all its booty with fire as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God; and it shall be a ruin forever. It shall never be rebuilt. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Then you shall gather all its booty into the middle of its open square and burn the city and all its booty with fire as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God; and it shall be a ruin forever. It shall never be rebuilt. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then you shall gather all its spoil into the middle of its open square and burn the city and all its spoil with fire as a whole burnt offering to Yahweh your God; and it shall be a ruin forever. It shall never be rebuilt. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then you shall collect all its spoil (plunder) into the middle of its open square and burn the city and set fire to the spoil as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. It shall be a ruin forever. It shall not be built again. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You are to gather all its spoil in the middle of the city square and completely burn the city and all its spoil for the LORD your God. The city is to remain a mound of ruins forever; it is not to be rebuilt. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You are to gather all its spoil in the middle of the city square and completely burn up the city and all its spoil for the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever; it is not to be rebuilt. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, unto Jehovah thy God: and it shall be a heap for ever; it shall not be built again. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, unto the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Gather their goods into the middle of the city square. Then burn their city and all their goods as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. It must remain a mound of ruins and never be rebuilt. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> Bring together all the possessions of the people who live there and pile them up in the town square. Then burn the town and everything in it as an offering to the LORD your God. It must be left in ruins forever and never again be rebuilt. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> Gather whatever you've taken as spoils at the public square of the town, then burn the town, along with whatever you've taken, as an offering to the LORD your God. It will remain a permanent mound of ruins, never to be rebuilt again. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/13.htm">NET Bible</a> You must gather all of its plunder into the middle of the plaza and burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. It will be an abandoned ruin forever--it must never be rebuilt again. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You shall gather all its plunder into the midst of its street, and shall burn with fire the city, and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God: and it shall be a ruin forever; it shall not be built again. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of its street, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil of it every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be a heap forever; it shalt not be built again.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square, and completely burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/13.htm">World English Bible</a> You shall gather all its plunder into the middle of its street, and shall burn with fire the city, with all of its plunder, to Yahweh your God. It shall be a heap forever. It shall not be built again. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And you gather all its spoil into the midst of its broad place, and have completely burned the city and all its spoil with fire for your God YHWH, and it has been a continuous heap, it is not built anymore; <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and all its spoil thou dost gather unto the midst of its broad place, and hast burned with fire the city and all its spoil completely, before Jehovah thy God, and it hath been a heap age-during, it is not built any more; <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And thou shalt gather all its spoil to the midst of its street, and burn in fire the city and all its spoil, wholly, to Jehovah thy God: and it was a heap forever; it shall no more be built.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And all the household goods that are there, thou shalt gather together in the midst of the streets thereof, and shalt burn them with the city itself, so as to consume all for the Lord thy God, and that it be a heap for ever: it shall be built no more. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then all the household goods which are there, you shall gather together in the midst of its streets, and you shall set fire to these, along with the city itself, so that you may consume everything for the Lord your God, and so that it may be an everlasting tomb. It shall no longer be built up. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/13.htm">New American Bible</a> Having heaped up all its spoils in the middle of its square, you shall burn the city with all its spoils as a whole burnt offering to the LORD, your God. Let it be a heap of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> All of its spoil you shall gather into its public square; then burn the town and all its spoil with fire, as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. It shall remain a perpetual ruin, never to be rebuilt.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And you shall gather all the spoil of it into the midst of an open space beyond the walls thereof, and burn the city with fire, and all its spoil every bit, before the LORD your God; and it shall be a heap for ever; it shall not be built again. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And gather all its plundered property within its open courtyard and burn the city in fire and all its property completely before LORD JEHOVAH your God, and it shall be a heap forever and it shall not be built again.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the broad place thereof, and shall burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, unto the LORD thy God; and it shall be a heap for ever; it shall not be built again. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And all its spoils thou shalt gather into its public ways, and thou shalt burn the city with fire, and all its spoils publicly before the Lord thy God; and it shall be uninhabited for ever, it shall not be built again. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=4050" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Idolatrous Cities to Be Destroyed</a> …15you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock. 16<a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">And</a> <a href="/hebrew/6908.htm" title="6908: tiq·bōṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To gather, collect. A primitive root; to grasp, i.e. Collect.">you are to gather</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/7998.htm" title="7998: šə·lā·lāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A prey, spoil, plunder, booty. From shalal; booty.">its plunder</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: tō·wḵ (N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">the middle</a> <a href="/hebrew/7339.htm" title="7339: rə·ḥō·ḇāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A broad open place, plaza. Or rchowb; from rachab; a width, i.e. avenue or area.">of the public square,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: wə·śā·rap̄·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">and completely burn</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ḇā·’êš (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/7998.htm" title="7998: šə·lā·lāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A prey, spoil, plunder, booty. From shalal; booty.">its plunder</a> <a href="/hebrew/3632.htm" title="3632: kā·lîl (N-ms) -- Entire, whole, a holocaust. From kalal; complete; as noun, the whole; as adverb, fully.">as a whole burnt offering</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">The city must remain</a> <a href="/hebrew/8510.htm" title="8510: têl (N-msc) -- A mound. By contraction from talal; a mound.">a mound of ruins</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">forever,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">never</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: ṯib·bā·neh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fs) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">to be rebuilt.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more."></a> 17Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/6-24.htm">Joshua 6:24</a> Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a> Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” <a href="/1_kings/9-16.htm">1 Kings 9:16</a> Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. <a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm">2 Kings 23:20</a> On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. <a href="/leviticus/27-28.htm">Leviticus 27:28-29</a> Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death. <a href="/numbers/31-10.htm">Numbers 31:10-11</a> Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments, / and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals. <a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Ezekiel 9:5-6</a> And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. <a href="/isaiah/34-2.htm">Isaiah 34:2</a> The LORD is angry with all the nations and furious with all their armies. He will devote them to destruction; He will give them over to slaughter. <a href="/jeremiah/50-13.htm">Jeremiah 50:13</a> Because of the wrath of the LORD, she will not be inhabited; she will become completely desolate. All who pass through Babylon will be horrified and will hiss at all her wounds. <a href="/revelation/18-8.htm">Revelation 18:8</a> Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” <a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Revelation 18:17-19</a> For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance / and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. / Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.” <a href="/revelation/17-16.htm">Revelation 17:16</a> And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. <a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Matthew 11:20-24</a> Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ... <a href="/luke/10-12.htm">Luke 10:12-15</a> I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. / Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. ... <a href="/acts/19-19.htm">Acts 19:19</a> And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And you shall gather all the spoil of it into the middle of the street thereof, and shall burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD your God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.burn with<a href="/joshua/6-24.htm">Joshua 6:24</a> And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.an heap<a href="/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2,3</a> 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… <a href="/joshua/6-26.htm">Joshua 6:26</a> And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.<a href="/joshua/8-28.htm">Joshua 8:28</a> And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/3-7.htm">Booty</a> <a href="/numbers/25-4.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-12.htm">Built</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">City</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-6.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-27.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-6.htm">Open</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-4.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-7.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/exodus/39-9.htm">Square</a> <a href="/genesis/19-2.htm">Street</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-5.htm">Whit</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-32.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Booty</a> <a href="/judges/18-10.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Built</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-20.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-6.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-5.htm">City</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-23.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/joshua/3-17.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-11.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-2.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-6.htm">Open</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-63.htm">Ruin</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/judges/19-15.htm">Square</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-25.htm">Street</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-23.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-18.htm">Whit</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-3.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 13</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Enticers to idolatry</a> 6. <a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">however near to oneself</a> 9. <a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">are to be stoned to death</a> 12. <a href="/deuteronomy/13-12.htm">Idolatrous cities are not to be spared</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square This directive emphasizes the public nature of the judgment against the city. The public square was often the center of community life, symbolizing the heart of the city. By gathering the plunder there, it serves as a visible demonstration of the consequences of idolatry. This act is reminiscent of the communal nature of sin and judgment seen in other parts of Scripture, such as the stoning of Achan in <a href="/joshua/7.htm">Joshua 7</a>, where the sin of one affected the entire community.and completely burn the city and all its plunder The complete destruction by fire signifies total judgment and purification. Fire is often used in the Bible as a symbol of God's judgment and purification (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah in <a href="/genesis/19.htm">Genesis 19</a>). This act of burning is a physical manifestation of divine wrath against idolatry, ensuring that nothing remains that could lead others astray. It also serves as a warning to other cities and nations about the seriousness of turning away from God.as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God The term "whole burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah) is significant as it denotes a sacrifice that is entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication to God. In this context, the destruction of the city is an act of worship, acknowledging God's holiness and justice. This parallels the sacrificial system where offerings were made to atone for sin and restore relationship with God, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was wholly given for the sins of humanity.The city must remain a mound of ruins forever This command ensures that the city serves as a perpetual reminder of the consequences of idolatry. The term "mound of ruins" (Hebrew: tel) is archaeologically significant, as many ancient cities that were destroyed became tels, or mounds, over time. This lasting desolation is a testament to God's judgment and serves as a deterrent to future generations. It reflects the irreversible nature of divine judgment once it is executed.never to be rebuilt The prohibition against rebuilding underscores the finality of God's judgment. It ensures that the city cannot return to its former state of rebellion against God. This echoes the fate of other cities in the Bible, such as Jericho, which was cursed to never be rebuilt (<a href="/joshua/6-26.htm">Joshua 6:26</a>). Theologically, it points to the ultimate destruction of all that opposes God, as seen in the eschatological visions of Revelation, where the final judgment results in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to deal with cities that lead them into idolatry. 2. <a href="/topical/i/idolatrous_city.htm">Idolatrous City</a> A city within Israel that has turned to worship other gods, leading its inhabitants astray. 3. <a href="/topical/p/public_square.htm">Public Square</a> The central place in the city where the plunder is gathered, symbolizing the public nature of the judgment. 4. <a href="/topical/w/whole_burnt_offering.htm">Whole Burnt Offering</a> A sacrificial act dedicated entirely to God, signifying complete destruction and devotion. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The God of Israel, who demands exclusive worship and obedience from His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_idolatry.htm">The Seriousness of Idolatry</a> Idolatry is a grave sin that leads people away from God. The drastic measures commanded in <a href="/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16</a> underscore the seriousness with which God views idolatry. <a href="/topical/t/total_devotion_to_god.htm">Total Devotion to God</a> The command to burn the city and its plunder as a whole burnt offering signifies the need for total devotion to God. Nothing should be spared or kept for personal gain when it comes to eradicating sin. <a href="/topical/i/irrevocable_consecration.htm">Irrevocable Consecration</a> Once something is devoted to God, it cannot be reclaimed or rebuilt. This teaches us about the irrevocable nature of our commitments to God. <a href="/topical/p/public_accountability.htm">Public Accountability</a> The gathering of plunder in the public square highlights the importance of public accountability in dealing with sin. Sin is not just a private matter but affects the community. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_consequences.htm">Eternal Consequences</a> The command that the city must remain a ruin forever serves as a reminder of the eternal consequences of sin and disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 13</a> <a href="/q/does_psalm_137_align_with_divine_justice.htm">How does Psalm 137 align with divine justice, given that it appears to advocate collective punishment?</a> <a href="/q/is_god's_demand_for_repentance_contradictory.htm">(Jeremiah 13:16-17) Isn't it contradictory for God to demand repentance while also foretelling inevitable punishment?</a> <a href="/q/why_would_god_command_death_for_false_prophets.htm">In Deuteronomy 13:1-5, why would a loving God command the death of false prophets and those who follow them?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_atman_in_hinduism.htm">What do owls symbolize in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) And shalt burn with fire the city.--So Gibeah was treated (Judges xx 40).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - All the spoil thereof every whir, for the Lord thy God; rather, all the spoil [booty] thereof as a whole offering unto Jehovah thy God; it was to be wholly devoted to God, and as such to be consumed by fire. "It was a destruction, and not properly an offering. Hence the author selects neither עֹולָה nor חַטָּאת, but כָּליִל, whole, whole offering (<a href="/deuteronomy/33.htm">Deuteronomy 33</a>. '10; <a href="/leviticus/6-15.htm">Leviticus 6:15</a> [22]), which word, in the law concerning offering, is no technical designation of any particular kind of offering. The rendering omnino is untenable" (Knobel). The city was to be made a ruin, never to be rebuilt; and thus was to be treated the same as a heathen, idolatrous city might be (cf. <a href="/numbers/21-3.htm">Numbers 21:3</a>). <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case you are to gather תִּקְבֹּץ֮ (tiq·bōṣ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6908.htm">Strong's 6908: </a> To gather, collect all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every its plunder שְׁלָלָ֗הּ (šə·lā·lāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7998.htm">Strong's 7998: </a> A prey, spoil, plunder, booty in אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the middle תּ֣וֹךְ (tō·wḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre of the public square, רְחֹבָהּ֒ (rə·ḥō·ḇāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7339.htm">Strong's 7339: </a> A broad open place, plaza and completely burn וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֨ (wə·śā·rap̄·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> To be, on fire the city הָעִ֤יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement and all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every its plunder שְׁלָלָהּ֙ (šə·lā·lāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7998.htm">Strong's 7998: </a> A prey, spoil, plunder, booty as a whole burnt offering כָּלִ֔יל (kā·lîl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3632.htm">Strong's 3632: </a> Complete, the whole, as, fully to the LORD לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God. אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative [The city] must remain וְהָיְתָה֙ (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a mound of ruins תֵּ֣ל (têl) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8510.htm">Strong's 8510: </a> A mound forever, עוֹלָ֔ם (‘ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always never לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no to be rebuilt. תִבָּנֶ֖ה (ṯib·bā·neh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> To build <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Deuteronomy 13:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 13:16 You shall gather all its spoil into (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 13:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 13:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 13:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 13:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>