Deuteronomy Chapter 20 verse 16 Holy Bible

ASV Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these peoples, that Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth;
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BBE Deuteronomy 20:16

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:
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DARBY Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these peoples which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth,
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KJV 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:
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WBT 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:
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WEB Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these peoples, that Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes;
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YLT Deuteronomy 20:16

`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;
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 16-20. - This was for cities at a distance; it was to be otherwise with the cities of the Canaanites. To them no offer of peaceful submission was to be made, and when the city was taken, all the inhabitants without reserve were to be destroyed. This was in accordance with God's command to Israel (Exodus 23:31-33; Exodus 34:11-16; Deuteronomy 7:1-3), and as a precaution against the risk of the people being seduced into idolatry by the heathen should they be allowed to remain in the land. But whilst engaged in besieging a town, they were not to destroy the fruit trees that were outside the walls; but trees that were not for food they might cut down and use in their operations against the city.

Ellicott's Commentary