Deuteronomy 3:7 kjv
But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves.
Deuteronomy 3:7 nkjv
But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as booty for ourselves.
Deuteronomy 3:7 niv
But all the livestock and the plunder from their cities we carried off for ourselves.
Deuteronomy 3:7 esv
But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as our plunder.
Deuteronomy 3:7 nlt
But we kept all the livestock for ourselves and took plunder from all the towns.
Deuteronomy 3 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 2:34-35 | And we utterly destroyed every city, men, women, and little ones; we left none remaining; but the livestock and the spoil... we took as plunder. | Conquest of Sihon: similar spoils rule. |
| Deut 3:6 | And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying every city, men, women, and children. | Og's cities herem (devoted destruction). |
| Josh 8:2 | And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. | Ai: similar permission for spoils. |
| Num 31:9-11 | And the children of Israel took all the women... and their little ones, and all their cattle... and all their goods, as spoil. | Midian: details what was taken as spoil. |
| Deut 20:14 | But the women and the little ones and the livestock and everything else... you may take as spoil for yourselves... | General rule for distant city conquest. |
| Deut 7:2 | You shall not make any covenant... you shall utterly destroy them; you shall make no treaty with them and show no mercy. | Command to devote people to destruction. |
| Lev 27:28-29 | Every devoted thing... is most holy to the LORD. No devoted thing that may be devoted from mankind may be ransomed; it must surely be put to death. | Principle of herem (devotion). |
| Josh 6:17-19 | The city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab... shall live. But beware of devoted things. | Jericho: strict herem, no spoil. |
| Josh 7:1 | But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan... took some of the devoted things. | Achan's sin of taking herem for spoil. |
| Deut 6:10-11 | When the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore... to give you, with great and good cities that you did not build... vineyards that you did not plant. | God's provision of pre-existing wealth. |
| Deut 8:7-9 | For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land... a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity. | Promises of land and abundance. |
| Deut 9:3 | Understand therefore today that the LORD your God is he who goes over before you... he will subdue them before you. | God is the giver of victory and spoils. |
| Psa 44:3 | For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand... and the light of your face. | God is source of conquest, not Israel's might. |
| Neh 9:25 | And they captured fortified cities and a rich land... and drank sweet water; they ate what was rich, and grew fat. | Enjoyment of acquired land/spoils. |
| Isa 33:23-24 | Your tack is loose; they do not hold the mast firm... Then will the prey of many a spoil be divided; even the lame will take plunder. | Prophetic promise of future spoil for God's people. |
| Exod 12:35-36 | The people of Israel had also done according to the word of Moses, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver... and gold... Thus they plundered the Egyptians. | Israel taking spoil from Egyptians upon exodus. |
| 1 Sam 30:26 | When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends... “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD.” | Rightful distribution of spoils. |
| Luke 11:22 | But when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his whole armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. | Jesus on overcoming spiritual enemies and their 'spoil.' |
| Rev 2:26 | The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. | Spiritual conquest and authority/reward. |
| Rom 8:37 | No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | Believers are 'more than conquerors.' |
Deuteronomy 3 verses
Deuteronomy 3 7 Meaning
Deuteronomy 3:7 signifies that while the fortified cities and their inhabitants in Bashan, under King Og, were utterly destroyed and devoted to God as herem, all the animals and movable goods were permitted for the Israelites to take as their personal possessions and rightful spoil. This distinguished between what was consecrated for destruction and what was legitimately acquired for their sustenance and wealth.
Deuteronomy 3 7 Context
Deuteronomy 3:7 is situated within Moses' historical recollection of Israel's journey from the wilderness to the borders of Canaan, specifically detailing the conquest of King Og of Bashan. Chapters 2 and 3 recount the defeat of two Transjordanian kings, Sihon and Og, before Israel's entrance into the Promised Land west of the Jordan. Verse 6 emphasizes that all the cities, men, women, and children of Og's kingdom were "utterly destroyed" (herem), reflecting a divinely commanded act of consecration to God through destruction. Verse 7, immediately following, provides a crucial clarification: while human lives and the fortified places themselves were eradicated, the livestock and valuable portable items were permitted to be taken by the Israelites as spoil. This detail highlights God's providential care for His people, providing resources even within the context of holy war, and emphasizes the distinction between total annihilation of a defiled culture and the acquisition of material benefit for the conquering nation, under divine mandate.
Deuteronomy 3 7 Word analysis
But (אַךְ - ʾakh): A strong adversative particle, indicating a sharp contrast or distinction from what was just stated (the complete destruction in verse 6). It introduces an exception or a different aspect of the previous action.
all the livestock (כָּל־ הַבְּהֵמָה - kol-habbehemah): Kol means "all" or "whole." Behemah refers to large domestic animals, often used for food, labor, or wealth. This signifies the comprehensive taking of all animal assets from the conquered cities.
and the plunder (וְהַשָּׁלָל - vehashshalal): The "וְ" (ve-) is "and." Shalal (שׁלָל) refers to booty, spoil, or plunder—any valuable goods, movable possessions, or treasure acquired in war. It explicitly distinguishes these items from things dedicated to destruction (herem). The term implies legally taken property by right of conquest under divine sanction.
of the cities (הֶעָרִים - he'arim): The definite article "the" combined with 'arim (cities) specifies the source of the spoils. It points to the wealth accumulated within these sixty fortified cities and surrounding towns conquered from Og.
we took (בַּזּוּנוּ - bazzunu): From the verb bazaz (בזז), meaning "to plunder," "to despoil," or "to take as spoil." The suffix "-nu" indicates the first-person plural, "we." It denotes the active appropriation by the Israelites.
as our spoil (לָנוּ שָׁלָל - lanu shalal): Lanu (לָנוּ) means "for us" or "to us," emphasizing ownership and benefit. It is an emphatic reassertion that these items became the property of the Israelites, not just taken but rightly designated as spoil for themselves.
for ourselves: Repetition and emphasis on lanu "for us," reiterating Israel's personal gain and legitimate appropriation of these assets, highlighting the purpose and destination of the acquired items.
Words-group analysis:
- "But all the livestock and the plunder of the cities": This phrase marks the exception to the rule of herem or complete destruction applied to people and structures. It lists the categories of goods that were divinely permitted for acquisition, highlighting God's provision.
- "we took as our spoil for ourselves": This emphasizes the Israelites' direct action in taking these permitted goods, securing them as their own, and signifying the practical outcome of the divinely ordained conquest – the enriching of the nation. It highlights agency and legitimate possession.
Deuteronomy 3 7 Bonus section
- The distinction between herem (utter devotion/destruction) and shalal (permissible spoil) is foundational to understanding the ethical complexities of Old Testament warfare and God's holiness. It reveals that God had specific and varying instructions for each engagement, indicating a careful distinction based on His will and purpose for Israel's unique calling.
- The livestock and plunder taken represent substantial material resources—food, transport, wealth—that were crucial for the large Israelite population during their prolonged journey and settlement in the Promised Land. This was a direct, practical blessing of obedience.
- This verse illustrates that even God's judgments (against Og) can simultaneously serve as His provisions (for Israel), showcasing His sovereignty and multifaceted purposes in history.
Deuteronomy 3 7 Commentary
Deuteronomy 3:7 serves as a vital clarification within the narrative of the conquest, delineating what was to be utterly destroyed and what could be rightfully claimed as spoil. This verse, following the herem declaration in verse 6, demonstrates that Israel's warfare was not mere unbridled pillage, but an act guided by specific divine commands. God commanded the total annihilation of certain populations and fortified places due to their deep-seated iniquity and the need to prevent corruption among His people. Yet, in His providence, He also permitted His people to take livestock and goods, enriching them and equipping them for the establishment of their nation in the land He was giving them. This provision underscored God's faithfulness in providing for His covenant people even amidst judgments, and served as a tangible blessing received through obedience to His difficult commands. It reinforced the concept that their victories and the resultant gain were ultimately God's gifts.