Deuteronomy 20:16-17
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This verse is a stark reminder that the instruction to "save alive nothing that breathes" specifically refers to human life. While it sounds absolute, the context from other passages shows this total destruction applied only when these peoples rejected offers of peace, and it was meant to prevent the Israelites from being corrupted by their deeply ingrained idolatry and wicked practices.
But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the LORD your God has commanded,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage lays out the stark, unconditional command for total annihilation of the inhabitants of Canaanite cities that Israel would conquer. This stands in contrast to the more merciful terms offered to distant cities, and is framed as a necessary act of divine judgment against the profound wickedness and idolatrous practices of these nations, whose corruption God did not want to spread to His chosen people. Israel is specifically told not to spare any living person in these cities as part of their inheritance from God.
This verse feels incredibly harsh, commanding the utter annihilation of everyone within these cities. Why such a drastic measure for these specific peoples?
This wasn't just any conquest; it was a divinely ordained judgment. The Canaanite nations had reached a peak of wickedness, engaging in practices like idolatry, incest, witchcraft, and necromancy (Leviticus 18:3). God had been patient for centuries, but their corruption was so deep that their very presence threatened to contaminate Israel and lead them into sin. Therefore, these cities were to be completely purged, not out of human cruelty, but as an act of divine justice to protect His people and preserve the land for its intended purpose.
It's crucial to understand that this command was specific to the Canaanites and their land, which was an inheritance for Israel. It was a unique situation where God used Israel as an instrument of His judgment. This was not a carte blanche for indiscriminate violence against any people Israel encountered.
The phrase 'nothing that breathes' is stark. What does it truly mean in this context, and what does it reveal about God's sovereignty over life?
When the text says 'nothing that breathes,' it's referring to all human life within these specific cities. While some commentaries note that animals might have been taken as spoils, the focus for destruction was on people. The Hebrew phrase can be translated as 'any breath' or 'every living thing,' emphasizing the totality of the command against the inhabitants.
This directive powerfully points to God's ultimate authority over life and death. He is the one who gives breath and life (Genesis 2:7), and in this instance, He commanded its cessation as a righteous judgment. It's a sobering reminder that while God is merciful, He is also a God of justice who holds all life accountable.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel, revealing His holiness, self-existence, and faithfulness to His people. It signifies the God who entered into a personal, binding relationship with Israel.
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
A portion or possession received by divine gift or promise. In the Old Testament, it refers primarily to the land of Canaan given by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
cherem · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the act of dedicating something or someone entirely to God. In the context of war, it involved the total destruction of an enemy and their possessions as an act of holy judgment to prevent idolatrous influence.
This passage echoes the severity of Deuteronomy 20:16 by detailing the complete destruction of Jericho, emphasizing that nothing was to be spared as an act of devotion to God.
1 Samuel 15:3This verse shows Saul failing because he did not completely obey God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites, mirroring the strictness of the command in Deuteronomy 20 regarding the Canaanites.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage directly precedes the command in Deuteronomy 20, explaining *why* such severe measures were necessary for the Canaanite nations—to prevent Israel from adopting their detestable practices.
Exodus 23:31-33This earlier passage lays the groundwork for Deuteronomy 20 by stating God's intent to drive out the inhabitants of the land and warning Israel against making covenants with them, implying their eventual removal.
gillDeuteronomy 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:"
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 w…
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…
This verse is a stark reminder that the instruction to "save alive nothing that breathes" specifically refers to human life. While it sounds absolute, the context from other passages shows this total destruction applied only when these peoples rejected offers of peace, and it was meant to prevent the Israelites from being corrupted by their deeply ingrained idolatry and wicked practices.
This passage lays out the stark, unconditional command for total annihilation of the inhabitants of Canaanite cities that Israel would conquer. This stands in contrast to the more merciful terms offered to distant cities, and is framed as a necessary act of divine judgment against the profound wickedness and idolatrous practices of these nations, whose corruption God did not want to spread to His chosen people. Israel is specifically told not to spare any living person in these cities as part of their inheritance from God.
This passage lays out the stark, unconditional command for total annihilation of the inhabitants of Canaanite cities that Israel would conquer. This stands in contrast to the more merciful terms offered to distant cities, and is framed as a necessary act of divine judgment against the profound wickedness and idolatrous practices of these nations, whose corruption God did not want to spread to His chosen people. Israel is specifically told not to spare any living person in these cities as part of their inheritance from God.
"But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and th…" — This verse is a stark reminder that the instruction to "save alive nothing that breathes" specifically refers to human life. While it sounds absolute, the context from other passages shows this total…
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Last reviewed October 2026
