Deuteronomy 3:6
And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.
Original Language Analysis
הַֽחֲרֵם֙
And we utterly destroyed
H2763
הַֽחֲרֵם֙
And we utterly destroyed
Strong's:
H2763
Word #:
1 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
אוֹתָ֔ם
H853
אוֹתָ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשִׂ֔ינוּ
them as we did
H6213
עָשִׂ֔ינוּ
them as we did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַֽחֲרֵם֙
And we utterly destroyed
H2763
הַֽחֲרֵם֙
And we utterly destroyed
Strong's:
H2763
Word #:
8 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
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עִ֣יר
of every city
H5892
עִ֣יר
of every city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
10 of 13
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 2:34And 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:Deuteronomy 2:24Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
Historical Context
Herem warfare, though difficult for modern readers, served specific purposes: judgment on incorrigibly wicked nations (Genesis 15:16), protection of Israel's spiritual purity, and demonstration of sin's seriousness. The Canaanite cultures practiced child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and other abominations that God deemed worthy of complete judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How seriously do you take sin's corrupting influence in your life?
- What compromises with evil seem small but threaten spiritual integrity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon' indicates the fulfillment of herem (devoted to destruction), applied consistently across conquered territories. The comprehensive nature—'utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city'—reflects God's judgment on deeply corrupted Canaanite culture. This severe measure prevented the moral and spiritual contamination that would later plague Israel when they failed to complete God's commands.