Deuteronomy 20:14
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What’s really striking here is that even within the harsh realities of ancient warfare, God makes a clear distinction between those who actively resist and those who are simply part of the defeated population. The command to spare the women, children, and livestock, and to take them, along with all the goods, as plunder, highlights a form of mercy and a practical order within His commands. It’s a reminder that even in judgment, God’s directives are specific and often carry layers of intention beyond immediate understanding.
but the women and the little ones, the livestock, and everything else in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of God's instructions to Israel about waging war as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Immediately before, God outlines terms for peace and, if refused, a harsh mandate for dealing with adult men in enemy cities who resist. This verse then details what happens to the women, children, and livestock, along with all the city's possessions, when the city is conquered.
Warfare in ancient Israel wasn't a free-for-all. When approaching a city, there were specific instructions, and Deuteronomy 20:14 highlights a crucial distinction.
The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 20:10-13) outline a harsh command for cities outside the promised land that refuse peace: utterly destroy every male. However, verse 14 immediately introduces exceptions.
The Spared:
This mitigation shows a move towards a more 'humanitarian' approach within the brutal context of ancient warfare, even if it's a far cry from modern sensibilities. It demonstrates that God's commands, even in war, had layers of discernment and preserved life where possible.
Taking 'plunder' might sound harsh, but in ancient Israel, it served a specific purpose – a tangible reminder of God's provision and victory.
The latter part of Deuteronomy 20:14 speaks about taking the spoil and 'eating' it.
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Understanding 'Eating the Spoil':
This concept reminds us that even in the difficult realities of conflict, God could orchestrate provision and blessing for His people.
Understand the original words
shalal · Hebrew Noun
Spoil or plunder refers to the goods, wealth, and resources seized from enemies after a victory in battle, which, according to the Law, were often acknowledged as a gift or provision from God to His people.
baz · Hebrew Noun
To plunder involves the act of seizing property or assets from the defeated, recognizing the transfer of ownership often permitted or mandated by divine decree in historical biblical conflicts.
This passage describes the destruction of Jericho, where everything in the city was devoted to destruction, contrasting with the exceptions made for spoil in Deuteronomy 20:14 for cities outside of Canaan.
1 Samuel 30:11-20Here, David's men recover all the spoil taken by the Amalekites, including women and children, and divide it amongst themselves, reflecting the principle of taking plunder from enemies.
Romans 8:37While a different context, this verse speaks of believers being more than conquerors through Christ, implying a victory and possession over spiritual enemies that echoes the idea of taking spoils of victory.
1 Corinthians 10:13This verse reassures believers that God will not allow them to be tempted beyond what they can bear, paralleling the mercy shown to non-combatants in war, implying God's provision and protection even in difficult circumstances.
calvinDeuteronomy 20:10-18: "When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it."
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself: and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.
Tantum mulieres, et parvulos, et animalia, et quicquid fuerit in urbe, omnia spolia ejus praedaberis tibi: comedesque spolia inimicorum tuorum, quos dederit…
gillDeuteronomy 20:14: "But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee."
But the women, the little ones, and the cattle,.... These were to be spared; women, because of the weakness of their sex, and subjection to their husbands; and little ones, which take in males as well as females, as Jarchi observes, because of their te…
What’s really striking here is that even within the harsh realities of ancient warfare, God makes a clear distinction between those who actively resist and those who are simply part of the defeated population. The command to spare the women, children, and livestock, and to take them, along with all the goods, as plunder, highlights a form of mercy and a practical order within His commands. It’s a reminder that even in judgment, God’s directives are specific and often carry layers of intention beyond immediate understanding.
This passage is part of God's instructions to Israel about waging war as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Immediately before, God outlines terms for peace and, if refused, a harsh mandate for dealing with adult men in enemy cities who resist. This verse then details what happens to the women, children, and livestock, along with all the city's possessions, when the city is conquered.
This passage is part of God's instructions to Israel about waging war as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Immediately before, God outlines terms for peace and, if refused, a harsh mandate for dealing with adult men in enemy cities who resist. This verse then details what happens to the women, children, and livestock, along with all the city's possessions, when the city is conquered.
"but the women and the little ones, the livestock, and everything else in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you." — What’s really striking here is that even within the harsh realities of ancient warfare, God makes a clear distinction between those who actively resist and those who are simply part of the defeated p…
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Last reviewed October 2026
