Keraia
Deuteronomy 20

Deuteronomy 20:15

Laws of Warfare · Deuteronomy 20:1–20
Read Deuteronomy 20

Translations

Modern
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.
Traditional
Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.
Literal
Thus you shall do to all the cities very far from you, which are not from the cities of these nations.
Latin
Sic facies cunctis civitatibus, quæ a te procul valde sunt, et non sunt de his urbibus, quas in possessionem accepturus es.

Original

Hebrew
English
This is how you are to treat all the cities that are far away from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.

Notes

Deuteronomy 20:15

cities that are far away: These were outside the borders of the promised land.

Deuteronomy 20:10–15

The people living in the land of Canaan had already been placed under the ban (7:1–6). This means they were set apart for complete destruction as part of God’s judgment.

So this command refers to other nations. It applies to people whom Israel would fight outside the land (20:15).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Holy War

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Holy War Holy War

Topics

War of Extermination