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<!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 13:15 you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/13-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/05_Deu_13_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 13:15 - Idolatrous Cities to Be Destroyed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. 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You must destroy it completely, both its people and its livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />you shall surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword, devoting it to destruction, all who are in it and its cattle, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that <i>is</i> therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying it, all that is in it and its livestock—with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />you shall most certainly strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword. Utterly destroy it and all who are in it and its cattle, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying it and all that is in it and its cattle with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying it and all that is in it and its cattle with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, devoting it to destruction and all that is in it and its cattle with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />you shall most certainly strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying it and all that is in it, even its livestock with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />you must strike down the inhabitants of that city with the sword. Completely destroy everyone in it as well as its livestock with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />you must strike down the inhabitants of that city with the sword. Completely destroy everyone in it as well as its livestock with the sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />you must take your swords and kill every one of them, and their livestock too. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />you must kill the residents of that city with swords and destroy that city and everyone in it, including the animals, because they are claimed by God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />then kill all the people in that town and all their livestock too. Destroy that town completely. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />then put the inhabitants of the town to death by the sword. Devote everything in it to divine destruction—even its livestock—by the sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />you must by all means slaughter the inhabitants of that city with the sword; annihilate with the sword everyone in it, as well as the livestock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is in it and its livestock, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is in it, and its cattle, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, with all that is therein and its livestock, with the edge of the sword. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />you surely strike the inhabitants of that city by the mouth of the sword, devoting it and all that [is] in it, even its livestock, by the mouth of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou dost surely smite the inhabitants of that city by the mouth of the sword; devoting it, and all that is in it, even its cattle, by the mouth of the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Smiting, thou shalt smite the inhabitants of that city with the mouth of the sword, exterminating it, and all that is in it, and its cattle, with the mouth of the sword.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt forthwith kill the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, and shalt destroy it and all things that are in it, even the cattle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />you shall promptly strike down the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword. And you shall destroy it, along with all the things that are in it, even the flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />you shall put the inhabitants of that city to the sword, placing the city and all that is in it, even its livestock, under the ban.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />you shall put the inhabitants of that town to the sword, utterly destroying it and everything in it—even putting its livestock to the sword.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and its cattle, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Cut off the inhabitants of that city by the mouth of the sword; destroy it and everyone who is in it and its livestock by the mouth of the sword.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />thou shalt utterly destroy all the dwellers in that land with the edge of the sword; ye shall solemnly curse it, and all things in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/13-15.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=4041" 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/13.htm">Idolatrous Cities to Be Destroyed</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: hak·kêh (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">you must surely put</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: ṯak·keh (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike."></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/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šə·ḇê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">the inhabitants</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">of that</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.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: lə·p̄î- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥā·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">to the sword.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: ha·ḥă·rêm (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">Devote to destruction</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: lə·p̄î- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥā·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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.">all its people</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></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/929.htm" title="929: bə·hem·tāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">and livestock.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>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.…<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/31-7.htm">Numbers 31:7-11</a></span><br />Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. / Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. / The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/27-29.htm">Leviticus 27:29</a></span><br />No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40</a></span><br />Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Ezekiel 9:5-7</a></span><br />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. / Then He told them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go forth!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-48.htm">Judges 20:48</a></span><br />And the men of Israel turned back against the other Benjamites and put to the sword all the cities, including the animals and everything else they found. And they burned down all the cities in their path.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-25.htm">2 Kings 10:25</a></span><br />When he had finished making the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them. Do not let anyone out.” So the guards and officers put them to the sword, threw the bodies out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/15-13.htm">2 Chronicles 15:13</a></span><br />And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-15.htm">Isaiah 13:15-18</a></span><br />Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword. / Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. / Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-21.htm">Jeremiah 50:21-22</a></span><br />Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. / “The noise of battle is in the land—the noise of great destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-8.htm">Revelation 18:8</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-15.htm">Matthew 10:15</a></span><br />Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-12.htm">Luke 10:12</a></span><br />I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-23.htm">Acts 3:23</a></span><br />Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.</p><p class="hdg">destroying it utterly</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-34.htm">Deuteronomy 2:34</a></b></br> 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:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Deuteronomy 7:2,16</a></b></br> And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, <i>and</i> utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20</a></b></br> He that sacrificeth unto <i>any</i> god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/32-20.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-15.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-13.htm">City</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-20.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-30.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-6.htm">Devoting</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-48.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-13.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-15.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-6.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/numbers/35-20.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-31.htm">Therein</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-22.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Utterly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/23-13.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-26.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">City</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-7.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-4.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-17.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-63.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-17.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/acts/1-14.htm">Devoting</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/joshua/2-9.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-6.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-6.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-6.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-22.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-21.htm">Therein</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-16.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-17.htm">Utterly</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Enticers to idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">however near to oneself</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">are to be stoned to death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-12.htm">Idolatrous cities are not to be spared</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/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><b>you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword.</b><br>This command is part of the laws given to Israel regarding idolatry and apostasy. The context is a city within Israel that has turned to worship other gods. The phrase emphasizes the seriousness of idolatry and the need for purity among God's people. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where idolatry was seen as spiritual adultery. The command to use the sword indicates a complete and decisive action against sin, reflecting the holiness and justice of God. This can be connected to the New Testament's call for spiritual vigilance against false teachings (<a href="/1_corinthians/5-6.htm">1 Corinthians 5:6-7</a>).<p><b>Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.</b><br>The term "devote to destruction" (Hebrew: "herem") signifies a total consecration to God, often through destruction. This was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, where conquered cities and their goods were dedicated to a deity. In Israel's context, it served to remove the influence of idolatry and prevent the spread of sin. The inclusion of livestock underscores the thoroughness of the judgment, leaving nothing that could be used or profited from. This reflects the principle of complete separation from sin, as seen in the call for believers to be holy (<a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>). The destruction also prefigures the final judgment, where all that opposes God will be eradicated (<a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">Revelation 20:11-15</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised to the Israelites, where they are to establish a society based on God's laws.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatrous_city.htm">Idolatrous City</a></b><br>A city within Israel that has turned to worship other gods, leading to the command for its destruction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_command.htm">God's Command</a></b><br>The divine instruction to eliminate idolatry and maintain purity in worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_idolatry.htm">The Seriousness of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry is a grave sin that leads people away from God. The command to destroy an idolatrous city underscores the seriousness with which God views the worship of other gods.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_of_worship.htm">Purity of Worship</a></b><br>God desires pure and undivided worship. The Israelites were to be a holy people, set apart for God, and this required the removal of any influences that could lead them astray.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The entire community is responsible for maintaining faithfulness to God. This passage highlights the collective responsibility to address sin and idolatry within the community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God’s Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While the command seems harsh, it reflects God's justice in dealing with sin. It also points to His mercy in preserving the purity of His people and preventing further spiritual corruption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/modern_application.htm">Modern Application</a></b><br>Today, believers are called to examine their lives and communities for anything that might lead them away from God. This includes addressing false teachings and influences that compromise faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_atman_in_hinduism.htm">What do owls symbolize in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ezekiel_6_8-9_with_2_kings_21_14.htm">How do we reconcile Ezekiel 6:8–9, which speaks of a repentant remnant, with other passages (e.g., 2 Kings 21:14) suggesting total destruction or exile? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._3_6_align_with_a_loving_god.htm">How does Deuteronomy 3:6, which recounts total destruction of entire populations, reconcile with the idea of a just and loving God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jehoshaphat's_army_win_by_singing.htm">How did Jehoshaphat's army manage to march forth singing and then gather the spoils without engaging in a standard military offensive (2 Chronicles 20:21-25)?</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>(15) <span class= "bld">And the cattle thereof.</span>--So in <a href="/judges/20-48.htm" title="And the men of Israel turned again on the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.">Judges 20:48</a> : "The men of every city, the <span class= "ital">beast, </span>and all that were found."<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/13-15.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">you must surely strike down</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֵּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the inhabitants</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹֽשְׁבֵ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(yō·šə·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַהִ֖יא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֥יר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<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">with the sword.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֑רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Destroy</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחֲרֵ֨ם</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥă·rêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפִי־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄î-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽרֶב׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all [its people]</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">and livestock.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהֶמְתָּ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·hem·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 13:15 You shall surely strike the inhabitants (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 13:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 13:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 13:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 13:16" /></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>