Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.

DEUTERONOMY 2:35KJV
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Deuteronomy 2:35 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 2:35 mean?

Deuteronomy 2:35 says that the Israelites took only the livestock and the goods from the conquered cities for themselves. The verse highlights that after defeating their enemies, the Israelites did not keep the people, but instead took possession of the animals and material wealth left behind.

In this passage, Moses is recounting to the Israelites how God led them through various territories on their journey to the Promised Land. Here, he describes what was taken as spoils after a specific military victory. The focus is on what the Israelites were allowed to claim—specifically, the cattle and the goods from the cities—emphasizing the practical outcome of their conquest.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 2:35

  • בְּהֵמָה (behemah; "cattle"): This word refers broadly to domesticated animals, not just cows, and includes livestock like sheep and goats. It shows that the Israelites took valuable resources for their own use.
  • שָׁלָל (shalal; "spoil"): This word means plunder or loot taken in war. It highlights that the goods from the cities were considered the rightful property of the victors.
  • עָרִים (ʿarim; "cities"): This term points to the urban centers or settlements that were conquered, not just isolated buildings or camps.
  • לָקַח (laqach; "took"): This verb means to seize or take possession, underlining the active role of the Israelites in claiming these spoils.

Why Deuteronomy 2:35 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites did not enslave or keep the people of these cities, focusing only on material goods and livestock, which is significant for understanding the ethics of warfare in this context.
  • It connects to the broader narrative of Deuteronomy, where Moses is reminding the people of God’s provision and the specific instructions they followed during their journey.
  • The verse helps distinguish between different kinds of victories and spoils in the Old Testament, showing that not every conquest involved the same treatment of people and property.

Where else these words appear

“prey” Hebrew H962 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
  • Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

“spoil” Hebrew H7998 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
  • 1 Samuel 30:20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil.
  • Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

“took” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.