Deuteronomy 13:16
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תּ֣וֹךְ
of it into the midst
H8432
תּ֣וֹךְ
of it into the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
6 of 23
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
וְשָֽׂרַפְתָּ֙
thereof and shalt burn
H8313
וְשָֽׂרַפְתָּ֙
thereof and shalt burn
Strong's:
H8313
Word #:
8 of 23
to be (causatively, set) on fire
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֤יר
the city
H5892
הָעִ֤יר
the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
11 of 23
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כָּלִ֔יל
thereof every whit
H3632
כָּלִ֔יל
thereof every whit
Strong's:
H3632
Word #:
15 of 23
complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְהָֽיְתָה֙
H1961
וְהָֽיְתָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עוֹלָ֔ם
for ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֔ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 49:2Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.Joshua 8:28And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.Isaiah 25:2For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.Isaiah 17:1The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.Joshua 6:24And 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.
Historical Context
Jericho's ruins remained unbuilt until Ahab's reign (1 Kings 16:34), when Hiel rebuilt it under divine curse. Archaeological tells throughout Canaan mark destroyed cities never resettled. These ruins testified to divine judgment. Revelation applies this imagery to Babylon: 'she shall be utterly burned with fire...and shall be found no more at all' (Revelation 18:8, 21). Permanent desolation warns future generations while purging corruption completely.
Questions for Reflection
- How does refusing to profit from judgment (burning all spoil) demonstrate that justice serves righteousness, not greed?
- What modern 'ruins' or 'memorials' remind us of sin's consequences and God's judgment?
- How should permanent consequences of sin inform our vigilance against compromise?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The disposal: '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.' Everything must be burned—no plunder retained. The phrase 'every whit' (כָּלִיל, kalil, completely, totally) emphasizes totality. This is offering 'for the LORD'—consecrated destruction, not vengeful ruin. The permanent desolation ('heap for ever...not be built again') serves as perpetual warning. Like Jericho's ruins (Joshua 6:26), the destroyed city testifies to apostasy's consequences. No rebuilding prevents corruption's return and maintains memorial of judgment.