Deuteronomy 20:16 nasb — "Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive…

NASB

""Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes."

— Deuteronomy 20:16, NASB

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Deuteronomy 20:16 in Other Translations

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Deuteronomy 20 — Context

13

"When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword.

14

"Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you.

15

"Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby.

16

"Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.

17

"But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the LORD your God has commanded you,

18

so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.

19

"When you besiege a city a long time, to make war against it in order to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them; for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man, that it should be besieged by you?

Deuteronomy 20:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Deuteronomy 20:16 say?
Deuteronomy 20:16 in the NASB reads: “"Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.”
Where is Deuteronomy 20:16 in the Bible?
Deuteronomy 20:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 20, verse 16.
Who wrote Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Largely framed as Moses' farewell speeches; the closing chapter narrating his death was likely added by Joshua or a later editor. It was written c. 1406 BC.
What is the book of Deuteronomy about?
Deuteronomy is Moses' final sermons to Israel before they enter the Promised Land — a renewed call to love and obey the LORD. It re-states the Law, rehearses Israel's history, and lays before the people blessing for obedience and curse for rebellion.
What are the major themes of Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy explores themes including Covenant, Love, Obedience, Remembrance, Blessing & Curse. These themes shape the meaning and context of Deuteronomy 20:16.
What translation should I read Deuteronomy 20:16 in?
Deuteronomy 20:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Deuteronomy 20:16?
Deuteronomy 20:16 reads (NASB): “"Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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