Deuteronomy 20:14

14 But the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall plunder for yourself; and you shall eat the enemies' plunder which the Lord your God gives you.

Deuteronomy 20:14 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:14

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 as females, as Jarchi observes, because of their tender age; and cattle because of their insensibility; all these having had no concern in holding out the siege:

and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shall thou
take unto thyself;
gold, silver, merchandise, household goods, utensils in trade, and whatever was of any worth and value to be found in their houses:

and thou shall eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God
hath given thee;
that is, enjoy all their wealth and riches, estates and possessions; for this is not to be restrained to things eatable only.

Deuteronomy 20:14 In-Context

12 Now if the city will not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.
13 And when the Lord your God delivers it into your hands, you shall strike every male in it with the edge of the sword.
14 But the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall plunder for yourself; and you shall eat the enemies' plunder which the Lord your God gives you.
15 Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.
16 But of the cities of these peoples which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, you shall let nothing that breathes remain alive,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.