Deuteronomy 3:6
Deuteronomy 3:6 in Multiple Translations
We devoted them to destruction, as we had done to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city.
And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.
And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones.
And we put them to the curse, every town together with men, women, and children.
We set them apart for destruction, just as we did to Sihon, king of Heshbon, killing all the men, women, and children of every city.
And we ouerthrewe them, as we did vnto Sihon King of Heshbon, destroying euery citie, with men, women, and children.
and we devote them, as we have done to Sihon king of Heshbon, devoting every city, men, the women, and the infants;
We utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones.
And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city.
And we utterly destroyed them, as we had done to Sehon the king of Hesebon, destroying every city, men and women and children:
We completely destroyed everything, just as we had done in the area that King Sihon ruled. We killed all the men, women, and children.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 3:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 3:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/נַּחֲרֵ֣ם
אוֹתָ֔/ם
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר
עָשִׂ֔ינוּ
לְ/סִיחֹ֖ן
מֶ֣לֶךְ
חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן
הַחֲרֵם֙
כָּל
עִ֣יר
מְתִ֔ם
הַ/נָּשִׁ֖ים
וְ/הַ/טָּֽף
וַ/נַּחֲרֵ֣ם
châram
H2763
to devote/destroy
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cp
אוֹתָ֔/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
עָשִׂ֔ינוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
לְ/סִיחֹ֖ן
Çîychôwn
H5511
Sihon
Prep | N-proper
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן
Cheshbôwn
H2809
Heshbon
N-proper
הַחֲרֵם֙
châram
H2763
to devote/destroy
V-Hiphil-Ptc
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עִ֣יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fs
מְתִ֔ם
math
H4962
man
N-mp
הַ/נָּשִׁ֖ים
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Art | N-fp
וְ/הַ/טָּֽף
ṭaph
H2945
child
Conj | Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 3:6
וַ/נַּחֲרֵ֣ם
châram
H2763
"to devote/destroy"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cp
To devote or destroy something, like the objects the Israelites were told to destroy in Deuteronomy 7:26.
Definition: 1) to ban, devote, destroy utterly, completely destroy, dedicate for destruction, exterminate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to prohibit (for common use), ban 1a2) to consecrate, devote, dedicate for destruction 1a3) to exterminate, completely destroy 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be put under the ban, be devoted to destruction 1b2) to be devoted, be forfeited 1b3) to be completely destroyed
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away). See also: Exodus 22:19; Joshua 11:21; Isaiah 11:15.
אוֹתָ֔/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשִׂ֔ינוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לְ/סִיחֹ֖ן
Çîychôwn
H5511
"Sihon"
Prep | N-proper
Sihon was an Amorite king who lived during the time of the Israelites' wilderness journey. He was defeated by Moses in Transjordan, as recorded in Numbers 21:21. His name means warrior.
Definition: A king of Amorites living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Num.21.21 § Sihon = "warrior" king of the Amorites at the time of the conquest and defeated by Moses in Transjordan
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Sihon. See also: Numbers 21:21; Deuteronomy 29:6; Psalms 135:11.
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן
Cheshbôwn
H2809
"Heshbon"
N-proper
Heshbon was a city east of the Jordan River, serving as the capital of the Amorites under King Sihon, and later becoming part of the tribes of Reuben and Gad.
Definition: § Heshbon = "stronghold" the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: Heshbon. See also: Numbers 21:25; Joshua 12:5; Isaiah 15:4.
הַחֲרֵם֙
châram
H2763
"to devote/destroy"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
To devote or destroy something, like the objects the Israelites were told to destroy in Deuteronomy 7:26.
Definition: 1) to ban, devote, destroy utterly, completely destroy, dedicate for destruction, exterminate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to prohibit (for common use), ban 1a2) to consecrate, devote, dedicate for destruction 1a3) to exterminate, completely destroy 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be put under the ban, be devoted to destruction 1b2) to be devoted, be forfeited 1b3) to be completely destroyed
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away). See also: Exodus 22:19; Joshua 11:21; Isaiah 11:15.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עִ֣יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מְתִ֔ם
math
H4962
"man"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to a grown man, as seen in Genesis 14:24 and Numbers 31:28. It can also mean a few men or a small group of people, depending on the context. The word is used to describe adult males in various biblical stories.
Definition: 1) male, man 1a) males, men 1b) few men (in prose) 1b1) less emphasis on sex 1c) men (poetic) 1c1) less emphasis on sex
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] few, [idiom] friends, men, persons, [idiom] small. See also: Genesis 34:30; Job 19:19; Psalms 17:14.
הַ/נָּשִׁ֖ים
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Art | N-fp
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
וְ/הַ/טָּֽף
ṭaph
H2945
"child"
Conj | Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a child or a group of children, often used to describe little ones or families. It appears in passages like Matthew 18:10 and Mark 10:13-16, where Jesus teaches about children. Jesus loves them.
Definition: children, little children, little ones
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: (little) children (ones), families. See also: Genesis 34:29; Deuteronomy 1:39; Jeremiah 40:7.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 3:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 3:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 3:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 3:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:6
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 3:6
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 3:6
Context — The Defeat of Og
4At that time we captured all sixty of his cities. There was not a single city we failed to take—the entire region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
5All these cities were fortified with high walls and gates and bars, and there were many more unwalled villages.
6We devoted them to destruction, as we had done to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city.
7But all the livestock and plunder of the cities we carried off for ourselves. 8At that time we took from the two kings of the Amorites the land across the Jordan, from the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Hermon—Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 2:34 | At that time we captured all his cities and devoted to destruction the people of every city, including women and children. We left no survivors. |
| 2 | Psalms 135:10–12 | He struck down many nations and slaughtered mighty kings: Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, as a heritage to His people Israel. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 2:24 | “Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon Valley. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. |
| 4 | Joshua 11:14 | The Israelites took for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but they put all the people to the sword until they had completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone who breathed. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 3:2 | But the LORD said to me, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 20:16–18 | However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction —the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God. |
| 7 | Psalms 136:19–21 | Sihon king of the Amorites His loving devotion endures forever. and Og king of Bashan— His loving devotion endures forever. and He gave their land as an inheritance, His loving devotion endures forever. |
| 8 | Numbers 21:2 | So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction. ” |
| 9 | Leviticus 27:28–29 | Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death. |
Deuteronomy 3:6 Summary
[This verse describes how the Israelites followed God's command to destroy the cities of the nations they were conquering, in order to prevent the influence of idolatry and sin on their own people, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:2. This may seem harsh to us, but it is part of the larger story of God's plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ, as seen in Romans 5:8. By understanding the context and purpose of this verse, we can gain a deeper appreciation for God's holiness and justice, and for the love and mercy He has shown us through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites destroy the men, women, and children of every city?
The Israelites were following God's command to utterly destroy the nations in the land, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:2 and 20:16-18, in order to prevent the influence of idolatry and sin on their own people.
Is it just for God to command the destruction of entire cities, including women and children?
This question requires a nuanced understanding of God's character and the context of the Old Testament, but it is clear that God is a God of justice and mercy, as seen in Psalm 89:14 and Micah 6:8, and His commands must be understood in light of His overall plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ, as seen in Romans 5:8.
How can we reconcile the violence in this verse with the teachings of Jesus to love our enemies?
While the command to love our enemies in Matthew 5:44 is a central teaching of the New Testament, it is also important to recognize the different historical and covenantal contexts of the Old and New Testaments, as seen in Hebrews 8:13 and 9:15, and to understand that God's commands to the Israelites were given in a specific time and place for a specific purpose.
What does it mean to 'devote them to destruction'?
To devote something to destruction means to set it apart for God, often by destroying it, as seen in Leviticus 27:28-29 and Joshua 6:17-19, and this concept is rooted in the idea of God's holiness and the need to separate oneself from sin and idolatry, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:26 and 13:12-18.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with the nations of the world?
- How can we, as followers of Jesus, balance the call to love our enemies with the recognition of God's justice and holiness?
- What does it mean for us to 'devote' ourselves to God, and how can we apply this concept in our own lives?
- How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of God's redemption of humanity, and what does it reveal about God's plan to restore all things through Jesus Christ?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 3:6
And we utterly destroyed them,.... Not the cities, but the inhabitants of them: as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon; they did not destroy his cities, for they took them and dwelt in them; but the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 3:6
And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city. We utterly destroyed them.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:6
Deuteronomy 3:6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.Ver. 6. The men, women, and children.] The Hebrew word îäéí, here rendered men, written with tsere, signifieth dead men: Surely every man in his best estate, or when best underlaid, is altogether vanity, Selah.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:6
(6) We utterly destroyed them.—Devoted them, made them chêrem, as above (Deuteronomy 2:34).
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 3:6
6. and we utterly destroyed them, etc.] See Deuteronomy 2:34 f.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 3:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Your Enemies Are Beginning to Tremble by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of taking a journey with a larger perspective, beyond just achieving victory in one area of life. He uses the analogy of a la |
|
Through the Bible - Deuteronomy by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Deuteronomy and its three main themes: looking back at God's faithfulness, looking upwards at God's laws, and looking forward to G |
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(Through the Bible) Joshua 9-16 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a popular but false story about NASA scientists discovering a missing day in time. He emphasizes that this story is not factual and has no bas |