Deuteronomy 13:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The city's plunder is gathered and burned; the site remains a permanent ruin as a witness against idolatry.
The Context of Deuteronomy 13:16
Complete destruction and permanent desolation serve as perpetual warning and monument to the seriousness of covenant betrayal.
What Does Deuteronomy 13:16 Mean?
The destruction is ritualized. Spoil is not claimed as war-prize but gathered and burned in the streets, transforming the city into a total offering. Nothing is to be kept or reused. The act of burning consecrates the destruction as a judgment executed for the LORD's sake.
The ruins stand forever—'a heap for ever...it shall not be built again.' The destroyed city becomes a permanent memorial in Israel's landscape, a constant reminder of the price of apostasy. Future generations will see the ruins and remember that covenant faithfulness is non-negotiable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 13:16
What does Deuteronomy 13:16 mean?
The city's plunder is gathered and burned; the site remains a permanent ruin as a witness against idolatry.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 13:16?
Complete destruction and permanent desolation serve as perpetual warning and monument to the seriousness of covenant betrayal.