Deuteronomy 13:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Once confirmed, the city is destroyed completely—inhabitants, possessions, and livestock all killed by the sword.
The Context of Deuteronomy 13:15
Confirmed communal apostasy results in complete destruction—the ultimate purification of Israel from covenant violation.
What Does Deuteronomy 13:15 Mean?
The judgment is total destruction. No survivors, no mercy. The language is absolute: 'utterly,' 'all that is therein.' The sword takes inhabitants, cattle, everything. This is not punishing the guilty while sparing the innocent; it is annihilation of the entire city-state as a unit.
The severity reflects how the law views communal apostasy. When an entire city systematically abandons the covenant, the community itself becomes an instrument of corruption that must be removed to preserve Israel's faithfulness. Total destruction is proportional to total defection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 13:15
What does Deuteronomy 13:15 mean?
Once confirmed, the city is destroyed completely—inhabitants, possessions, and livestock all killed by the sword.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 13:15?
Confirmed communal apostasy results in complete destruction—the ultimate purification of Israel from covenant violation.