Only the livestock we took for plunder for ourselves, with the plunder of the cities which we had taken.
Parallel translations
- KJV Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.
- BSB We carried off for ourselves only the livestock and the plunder from the cities we captured.
- NKJV We took only the livestock as plunder for ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we took.
- NASB We took only the animals as our plunder, and the spoils of the cities which we had captured.
- NLT We took all the livestock as plunder for ourselves, along with anything of value from the towns we ransacked.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Only the livestock and goods of the cities were kept as plunder. It distinguishes the devoting of people from the taking of property.
Overview
While the inhabitants were devoted to destruction, Israel was permitted to take the livestock and spoil. This detail clarifies the specific scope of the herem in this campaign. It also shows God's provision for His people as they journeyed toward their inheritance.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Num 31:9–11The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones; and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder.
- Josh 8:27Israel took for themselves only the livestock and the goods of that city, according to Yahweh’s word which he commanded Joshua.
- Deut 20:14but the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, even all its plunder, you shall take for plunder for yourself. You may use the plunder of your enemies, which Yahweh your God has given you.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 2:35 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.