Book of Deuteronomy - Chapter 20 - Verse 16

When considering the meaning of the verse "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," it's important to understand the context in which it was written. This verse is part of the book of Deuteronomy, which is a record of the speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses is instructing the Israelites on how to deal with the inhabitants of the land they are about to possess. The command to not spare anyone that breathes may seem harsh, but it was a common practice in ancient warfare to completely destroy enemy cities to prevent any potential threats from arising in the future. In this context, the directive to annihilate all living beings in the cities was a strategic military tactic rather than a moral judgment. It's important to remember that this verse is a reflection of the historical context in which it was written and should be interpreted accordingly.

Within this verse from the book of Deuteronomy, the act of not sparing anything that breathes in the cities of the people designated for inheritance by the Lord God raises questions about the theological implications of such actions. Some theological interpretations suggest that this command demonstrates the importance of maintaining purity and obedience to God's will by eliminating all forms of evil from the designated territories. Additionally, this verse may also reflect the severity of God's judgment upon those who are deemed unworthy or sinful. Furthermore, word studies on phrases such as "save alive nothing that breatheth" can shed light on the significance of complete obedience and loyalty to God without compromise. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the necessity of following God's commands without hesitation or reservation.