King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 20:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 20:17 in the King James Version says “But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hiv...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:”

Deuteronomy 20:17 · KJV

Context

15

Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

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:

17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

18

That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

19

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life ) to employ them in the siege : for the: or, for, O man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege to employ: Heb. to go from before thee

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee—The seven nations listed represent complete Canaanite civilization. Utterly destroy (הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִימֵם, hacharem tacharimem, intensive doubling: 'you shall certainly devote to destruction') emphasizes non-negotiable obedience. The phrase as the LORD thy God hath commanded anchors this in divine authority, not human cruelty.

This isn't genocide (ethnic elimination) but theocide (false-god elimination). Rahab and the Gibeonites survived by embracing YHWH (Joshua 2, 9)—proving ethnicity wasn't the issue, idolatry was. Similarly, God demands spiritual herem: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). No quarter given to indwelling sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These seven nations formed Canaan's dominant cultures. Israel conquered under Joshua (1406-1399 BC) but failed to complete the herem, leaving pockets of Canaanite population. Judges records the predictable result: The anger of the LORD was hot against Israel for serving Baals and Ashtoreths (Judges 2:13-14).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Rahab's salvation (ethnic Canaanite who embraced YHWH) prove God's target was idolatry, not ethnicity?
  2. What sins are you 'managing' rather than 'devoting to destruction' (mortifying completely)?
  3. How does Colossians 3:5's 'mortify' (put to death) demand the same ruthlessness toward personal sin that Israel applied to Canaanites?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּֽי1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תַּֽחֲרִימֵ֗ם2 of 13

“But thou shalt utterly”

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

תַּֽחֲרִימֵ֗ם3 of 13

“But thou shalt utterly”

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

הַֽחִתִּ֤י4 of 13

“them namely the Hittites”

H2850

a chittite, or descendant of cheth

וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙5 of 13

“and the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֣י6 of 13

“the Canaanites”

H3669

a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c

וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י7 of 13

“and the Perizzites”

H6522

a perizzite, one of the canaanitish tribes

הַֽחִוִּ֖י8 of 13

“the Hivites”

H2340

a chivvite, one of the indigenous tribes of palestine

וְהַיְבוּסִ֑י9 of 13

“and the Jebusites”

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוְּךָ֖11 of 13

“hath commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֥ה12 of 13

“as the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃13 of 13

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 20:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 20:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 48:10Deuteronomy 7:1-2Jeremiah 50:35-40Ezekiel 38:21-23Isaiah 34:5-6Revelation 19:18

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