Deuteronomy 20:16

16 However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.

Deuteronomy 20:16 in Other Translations

KJV
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:
ESV
16 But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes,
NLT
16 In those towns that the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing.
MSG
16 But with the towns of the people that God, your God, is giving you as an inheritance, it's different: don't leave anyone alive.
CSB
16 However, you must not let any living thing survive among the cities of these people the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Deuteronomy 20:16 In-Context

14 As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the LORD your God gives you from your enemies.
15 This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.
16 However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.
17 Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you.
18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the LORD your God.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Exodus 23:31-33; Numbers 21:2-3; S Deuteronomy 7:2; Joshua 6:21; Joshua 10:1; Joshua 11:14
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.