And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.

DEUTERONOMY 3:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 3:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 3:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 3:6 describes how the Israelites, under Moses’ leadership, completely destroyed the people of the cities they conquered, just as they had done to Sihon, king of Heshbon. The verse emphasizes that no one was spared—men, women, and children were all destroyed in every city.

In this passage, Moses is recounting to the Israelites how God gave them victory over Og, king of Bashan, during their journey to the Promised Land. The verse highlights the totality of the destruction, showing the seriousness with which the Israelites carried out what they believed was God’s command in these specific battles.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 3:6

  • The word "destroyed" (הַחֲרֵם, ḥērem) is used twice in this verse and means to devote something to destruction, often with the sense of complete removal or annihilation. This word signals that the destruction was not just military defeat but a thorough wiping out, leaving nothing behind.
  • "Men" (מְתִים, metim), "women" (נָשִׁים, nashim), and "children" (טַף, taf) are each named specifically, underlining that the destruction included every part of the population, not just the fighting men.
  • "City" (עִיר, ir) refers to each settled place or town, showing that this action was repeated in every city taken.

Why Deuteronomy 3:6 matters

  • This verse can clear up the extent of what happened in these battles: it was not just a defeat of armies, but the complete destruction of entire populations, which is a difficult and sobering part of the biblical narrative.
  • The verse connects directly to earlier events with Sihon, showing a pattern in how the Israelites approached these conquests and linking the stories together for the listeners.
  • Understanding the use of the word "ḥērem" helps explain why the Israelites acted so thoroughly—it was seen as a religious act of obedience, not just a military strategy.

Where else these words appear

“men” Hebrew H4962 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
  • Psalms 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

“Sihon” Hebrew H5511 · used in 34 verses

  • Numbers 21:21 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
  • Joshua 13:10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;

“Heshbon” Hebrew H2809 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 21:25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
  • Deuteronomy 3:2 And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
  • Judges 11:19 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place.

“children” Hebrew H2945 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
  • Numbers 16:27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.
  • Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;