Deuteronomy 20:14
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
Original Language Analysis
רַ֣ק
H7535
רַ֣ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
וְהַטַּ֨ף
and the little ones
H2945
וְהַטַּ֨ף
and the little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
3 of 21
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה
and the cattle
H929
וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה
and the cattle
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וְכֹל֩
H3605
וְכֹל֩
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָעִ֛יר
and all that is in the city
H5892
בָעִ֛יר
and all that is in the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙
unto thyself and thou shalt eat
H398
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙
unto thyself and thou shalt eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
13 of 21
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֛ן
hath given
H5414
נָתַ֛ן
hath given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
18 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Joshua 8:2And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.Joshua 22:8And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.Numbers 31:9And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
Historical Context
Spoils of war funded Israel's economy and rewarded soldiers (Numbers 31:25-47). By distinguishing Canaanite wars (total herem) from distant wars (spoils permitted), God balanced judgment's necessity with economic pragmatism. Women and children integrated into Israelite households, often converting to YHWH worship (like Rahab).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you 'plunder' cultural goods (art, philosophy, science) without adopting culture's idolatrous foundations?
- What does targeting 'powers' (Ephesians 6:12) rather than people teach about loving enemies while opposing evil?
- In spiritual warfare, what constitutes legitimate 'spoils' (redeemable elements) versus what must be totally destroyed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself—Non-combatants (women and little ones) and possessions become shalal (שָׁלָל, 'plunder, spoil'). This contrasts with Canaanite herem (total destruction, Joshua 6:17-19) where even spoil was forbidden. For distant nations (non-Canaanite), Israel could benefit economically from conquest.
This provision prevented wasteful destruction while removing military capacity. New Testament parallel: spiritual warfare targets demonic powers (we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, Ephesians 6:12), not people. We 'destroy' false ideologies (casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, 2 Corinthians 10:5) while 'plundering' useful elements (Paul quoted pagan poets, Acts 17:28, Titus 1:12).