Deuteronomy 20:16 - But of the cities of these peoples

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Deuteronomy 20:16.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.

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:

ASV, DBY, ERV

But of the cities of these peoples, that Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth;

DRA

But of those cities that shall be given thee, thou shalt suffer none at all to live:

YLT

Only, of the cities of these peoples which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee for an inheritance, thou dost not keep alive any breathing;

AKJV

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD your God does give you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes:

BBE

But in the towns of these peoples whose land the Lord your God is giving you for your heritage, let no living thing be kept from death:

JPS

Howbeit of the cities of these peoples, that the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth,

CPDV

But among those cities which shall be given to you, you shall not permit anyone at all to live.

Latin

Tantum de urbibus populorum istorum quos Jehova Deus tuus dat tibi in haereditatem, non vivificabis ullam animam:

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.

Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Albert Barnes' Notes (1834)

Forbearance, however, was not to be shown toward the Canaanite nations, which were to be utterly exterminated (compare Deuteronomy 7:1-4). The command did not apply to beasts as well as men (compare Joshua 11:11, Joshua 11:14).

John Gill's Exposition (1746-63)

But of the cities of those people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance,.... The cities of the seven nations, six of which are mentioned by name in the next verse:
thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth; the reason of this severity was because of their wickedness, the capital crimes and gross abominations they were guilty of, and for which they deserved to die; and on account whereof they were reserved to this destruction, when the measure of their iniquities was full, such as idolatry, incest, witchcraft, soothsaying, necromancy, &c. see Leviticus 18:3.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes (1754-65)

Nothing - No man. For the beasts, some few excepted, were given them for a prey.

*More commentary available at chapter level.