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.
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Commentary
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Gill's Exposition
But the women, the little ones, and the cattle,.... These were to be spared; women, because of the weakness of their sex, and subjection to their husbands; and little ones, which take in males as well…
Directions intended to prevent wanton destruction of life and property in sieges. Deu 20:16 Forbearance, however, was not to be shown toward the Canaanite nations, which were to be utterly…
They are here directed what method to take in dealing with the cities (these only are mentioned, Deu 20:10, but doubtless the armies in the field, and the nations they had occasion to deal with, are…
Cambridge Bible
but or only. Heb. rak, introducing exceptions. See on Deu 10:15.
the women, etc.] A mitigated form of the ḥeremsee on Deu 2:34 urged not only from motives of humanity but on utilitarian…
Cross References
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