Deuteronomy Chapter 20 · Verse 17
But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַּֽחֲרִימֵ֗ם
But thou shalt utterly
H2763
תַּֽחֲרִימֵ֗ם
But thou shalt utterly
Strong's:
H2763
Word #:
2 of 13
to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
תַּֽחֲרִימֵ֗ם
But thou shalt utterly
H2763
תַּֽחֲרִימֵ֗ם
But thou shalt utterly
Strong's:
H2763
Word #:
3 of 13
to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
הַֽחִתִּ֤י
them namely the Hittites
H2850
הַֽחִתִּ֤י
them namely the Hittites
Strong's:
H2850
Word #:
4 of 13
a chittite, or descendant of cheth
וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙
and the Amorites
H567
וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙
and the Amorites
Strong's:
H567
Word #:
5 of 13
an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes
הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֣י
the Canaanites
H3669
הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֣י
the Canaanites
Strong's:
H3669
Word #:
6 of 13
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י
and the Perizzites
H6522
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י
and the Perizzites
Strong's:
H6522
Word #:
7 of 13
a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes
הַֽחִוִּ֖י
the Hivites
H2340
הַֽחִוִּ֖י
the Hivites
Strong's:
H2340
Word #:
8 of 13
a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
These seven nations formed Canaan's dominant cultures. Israel conquered under Joshua (1406-1399 BC) but failed to complete the herem, leaving pockets of Canaanite population. Judges records the predictable result: The anger of the LORD was hot against Israel for serving Baals and Ashtoreths (Judges 2:13-14).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Rahab's salvation (ethnic Canaanite who embraced YHWH) prove God's target was idolatry, not ethnicity?
- What sins are you 'managing' rather than 'devoting to destruction' (mortifying completely)?
- How does Colossians 3:5's 'mortify' (put to death) demand the same ruthlessness toward personal sin that Israel applied to Canaanites?
Analysis & Commentary
But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee—The seven nations listed represent complete Canaanite civilization. Utterly destroy (הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִימֵם, hacharem tacharimem, intensive doubling: 'you shall certainly devote to destruction') emphasizes non-negotiable obedience. The phrase as the LORD thy God hath commanded anchors this in divine authority, not human cruelty.
This isn't genocide (ethnic elimination) but theocide (false-god elimination). Rahab and the Gibeonites survived by embracing YHWH (Joshua 2, 9)—proving ethnicity wasn't the issue, idolatry was. Similarly, God demands spiritual herem: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). No quarter given to indwelling sin.