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href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />In those towns that the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee <i>for</i> an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“But of the cities of these peoples which the LORD your God gives you <i>as</i> an inheritance, you shall let nothing that breathes remain alive,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave anything that breathes alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Only in the cities of these peoples that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, you must not let any living thing survive among the cities of these people the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, you must not let any living thing survive among the cities of these people the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But of the cities of these peoples, that Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Whenever you capture towns in the land the LORD your God is giving you, be sure to kill all the people and animals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But of the cities of these peoples, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />However, you must not spare anyone's life in the cities of these nations that the LORD your God is giving you as your property.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"But when you capture cities in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, kill everyone. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to leave even one person alive in the cities of these nations that the LORD your God is about to give you as an inheritance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />As for the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is going to give you as an inheritance, you must not allow a single living thing to survive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But of the cities of these peoples, that the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But of the cities of these peoples that Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Only, of the cities of these peoples which your God YHWH is giving to you [for] an inheritance, you do not keep alive any [that are] breathing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Only, of the cities of these peoples which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee for an inheritance, thou dost not keep alive any breathing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Only of the cities of these peoples which Jehovah thy God gave to thee an inheritance, thou shalt not preserve alive and breathing:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But of those cities that shall be given thee, thou shalt suffer none at all to live: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But among those cities which shall be given to you, you shall not permit anyone at all to live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD, your God, is giving you as a heritage, you shall not leave a single soul alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But as for the towns of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not let anything that breathes remain alive.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But of the cities of these people which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Only from towns of these nations that LORD JEHOVAH your God gives to you as an inheritance, no breathing thing shall live:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Howbeit of the cities of these peoples, that the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>Of these</i> ye shall not take any thing alive;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5621" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/20.htm">Laws of Warfare</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">However,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: mê·‘ā·rê (Prep-m:: N-fpc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">in the cities</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">of the</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘am·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">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/5414.htm" title="5414: nō·ṯên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">is giving</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lāh (N-fs) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">as an inheritance,</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: ṯə·ḥay·yeh (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">you must not leave alive</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.">anything</a> <a href="/hebrew/5397.htm" title="5397: nə·šā·māh (N-fs) -- Breath. From nasham; a puff, i.e. Wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. Or an animal.">that breathes.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17-21</a></span><br />Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. / But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it. / For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/33-51.htm">Numbers 33:51-56</a></span><br />“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, / you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places. / You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-31.htm">Exodus 23:31-33</a></span><br />And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. / You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. / They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-11.htm">Exodus 34:11-16</a></span><br />Observe what I command you this day. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst. / Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24-30</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. / Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. / But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-1.htm">Deuteronomy 7:1-5</a></span><br />When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. / Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-16.htm">Deuteronomy 7:16</a></span><br />You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-4.htm">Deuteronomy 9:4-5</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. / It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a></span><br />Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. / Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-1.htm">Judges 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now the angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I had promised to your fathers, and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, / and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? / So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-20.htm">1 Kings 9:20-21</a></span><br />As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/8-7.htm">2 Chronicles 8:7-8</a></span><br />As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites had not destroyed—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">Psalm 106:34-36</a></span><br />They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/9-1.htm">Ezra 9:1-2</a></span><br />After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. / Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But of the cities of these people, which the LORD your God does give you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-1.htm">Deuteronomy 7:1-4,16</a></b></br> 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; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/21-2.htm">Numbers 21:2,3,35</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Numbers 33:52</a></b></br> 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:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/6-24.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/songs/4-6.htm">Breathes</a> <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Breatheth</a> <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Breathing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-15.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-14.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-4.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-12.htm">However</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-14.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-8.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-11.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-15.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-2.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-4.htm">Save</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-15.htm">Towns</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/31-27.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/job/14-10.htm">Breathes</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-19.htm">Breatheth</a> <a href="/joshua/11-11.htm">Breathing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-2.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-16.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/judges/4-17.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-20.htm">However</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-16.htm">Inheritance</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-9.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-19.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-19.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-10.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-27.htm">Save</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-2.htm">Towns</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">The priest's exhortation to encourage the people to battle</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">The officers' proclamation of who are to be dismissed from the war</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-10.htm">How to use the cities that accept or refuse the proclamation of peace</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">What cities must be devoted</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-19.htm">Trees must not be destroyed in the siege</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/20.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/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>However, in the cities of the nations</b><br>This phrase refers to the specific cities within the Promised Land, which were inhabited by various Canaanite nations. These nations were known for their idolatrous practices and moral corruption, which were in direct opposition to the laws and holiness of God. The command to destroy these cities was part of God's judgment against these nations for their sins, as well as a means to protect the Israelites from being led astray by pagan influences.<p><b>that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance</b><br>The land was a divine gift to the Israelites, promised to their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This inheritance was not just a physical territory but also a spiritual legacy, where the Israelites were to live according to God's laws and serve as a light to other nations. The concept of inheritance underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.<p><b>you must not leave alive anything that breathes</b><br>This command for total destruction, known as herem, was intended to prevent the Israelites from adopting the detestable practices of the Canaanites. It was a radical measure to ensure the purity of worship and obedience to God. The severity of this command reflects the seriousness of sin and the need for holiness among God's people. It also prefigures the ultimate judgment against sin, which is fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ's victory over sin and death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to conduct themselves in warfare as they enter the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The God of Israel, who is giving these commands to His people through Moses.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants, and which the Israelites are about to enter and conquer.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_canaanite_nations.htm">The Canaanite Nations</a></b><br>The inhabitants of the land that God is giving to the Israelites, who are to be completely destroyed according to this command.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who is delivering God's laws and instructions to the people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_justice.htm">Understanding God's Justice</a></b><br>This passage reflects God's justice and holiness. The command to destroy the Canaanite nations is a divine judgment on their sinfulness and idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>The complete destruction commanded here underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and idolatry. It serves as a reminder of the need for holiness in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites were called to obey God's commands fully, even when they were difficult. This teaches us the importance of complete obedience to God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_context_in_scripture.htm">The Role of Context in Scripture</a></b><br>Understanding the historical and cultural context of this command helps us to interpret its meaning and application for today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_the_law_in_christ.htm">The Fulfillment of the Law in Christ</a></b><br>While the Old Testament contains difficult commands, the New Testament reveals how Christ fulfills the Law and offers a new way of understanding God's justice and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_order_canaanites'_death.htm">Why did God order the Canaanites' extermination?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_change_from_wrath_to_mercy.htm">Why does God command genocide in the Old Testament but preach love and mercy in the New Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_spare_gibeonites_despite_deut._20_16-17.htm">How does sparing the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:15) align with instructions to destroy all Canaanite inhabitants (Deuteronomy 20:16–17)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_a_loving_god_order_destruction.htm">How can a loving God command the complete destruction of entire cities, including women and children (Deuteronomy 20:16–17)? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 16-20.</span> - This was for cities at a distance; it was to be otherwise with the cities of the Canaanites. To them no offer of peaceful submission was to be made, and when the city was taken, all the inhabitants without reserve were to be destroyed. This was in accordance with God's command to Israel (<a href="/exodus/23-31.htm">Exodus 23:31-33</a>; <a href="/exodus/34-11.htm">Exodus 34:11-16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-1.htm">Deuteronomy 7:1-3</a>), and as a precaution against the risk of the people being seduced into idolatry by the heathen should they be allowed to remain in the land. But whilst engaged in besieging a town, they were not to destroy the fruit trees that were outside the walls; but trees that were not for food they might cut down and use in their operations against the city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">However,</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֗ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the cities</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעָרֵ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵ֔לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nations</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽעַמִּים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘am·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is giving</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹתֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(nō·ṯên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">לְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">as an inheritance,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַחֲלָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(na·ḥă·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must not leave alive</span><br /><span class="heb">תְחַיֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·ḥay·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anything</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that breathes.</span><br /><span class="heb">נְשָׁמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(nə·šā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5397.htm">Strong's 5397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A puff, wind, angry, vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect, an animal</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 20:16 But of the cities of these peoples (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 20:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 20:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 20:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 20:17" /></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>