Deuteronomy 20:16
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:
Original Language Analysis
רַ֗ק
H7535
רַ֗ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
מֵֽעָרֵ֤י
But of the cities
H5892
מֵֽעָרֵ֤י
But of the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הָֽעַמִּים֙
of these people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּים֙
of these people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֣ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 14
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
נֹתֵ֥ן
doth give
H5414
נֹתֵ֥ן
doth give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נַֽחֲלָ֑ה
thee for an inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָ֑ה
thee for an inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְחַיֶּ֖ה
thou shalt save alive
H2421
תְחַיֶּ֖ה
thou shalt save alive
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
12 of 14
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
Cross References
Joshua 11:14And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.Numbers 33:52Then 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:Deuteronomy 7:16And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.Joshua 10:28And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.Joshua 10:40So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.Numbers 21:35So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
Historical Context
The seven Canaanite nations (Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites) occupied the Promised Land. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and brutality. God's 400-year patience (Genesis 15:16) expired; judgment came through Israel's conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- What personal sins require 'herem' (total destruction, no negotiation) rather than moderation or management?
- How did Israel's incomplete obedience (leaving Canaanites alive) warn about 'small compromises' that grow into major apostasy?
- What does Jesus's 'pluck it out' command teach about the violence necessary for defeating besetting sins?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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—The Canaanite herem demanded total destruction: nothing that breatheth (כָּל־נְשָׁמָה, kol-neshamah, literally 'every breath'). This wasn't ethnic cleansing but spiritual surgery—removing cancer threatening Israel's covenant relationship. God's explicit command (next verse) makes His purpose clear: prevent idolatry contagion.
Israel's incomplete obedience (failing to execute full herem) caused centuries of apostasy. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works...Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people (Psalm 106:34-35, 40). Spiritual compromise never stays contained; it metastasizes. Jesus demands similar ruthlessness with personal sin: If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out (Matthew 5:29)—radical amputation prevents spiritual death.