Book of Deuteronomy - Chapter 2 - Verse 34

When looking at the verse "And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain," from the Bible, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. This verse comes from the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament and describes the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites. The destruction of the inhabitants of the cities mentioned in the verse was part of God's command to the Israelites to cleanse the land of idolatry and wickedness. This act of destruction was seen as a way for the Israelites to establish themselves in the land and fulfill God's promise to them. While this verse may seem harsh or difficult to understand from a modern perspective, it is essential to interpret it within the context of the time and the beliefs of the Israelites.

While this verse can be troubling to interpret in terms of its ethical implications, theological discussions often focus on the concept of divine judgment. In this context, the destruction of entire cities, including men, women, and children, is seen as a form of divine punishment for the wickedness of the inhabitants. The word "destroyed" in this verse is significant in its implications of complete annihilation, with no survivors left behind. The theological interpretation of this verse raises questions about the justice and mercy of God, particularly in the context of the Old Testament where such acts of destruction were more common. It also highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. Word studies on this verse may delve into the Hebrew words used for "destroyed," "men," "women," and "little ones," to uncover deeper meanings and nuances in the original text.