Deuteronomy 20:17 Meaning and Explanation
“But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Seven Canaanite peoples are named as those to be utterly destroyed.
The Context of Deuteronomy 20:17
The specific peoples of Canaan who are to be completely destroyed.
What Does Deuteronomy 20:17 Mean?
The command names specific nations: Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The explicit naming emphasizes that this is a specific, defined conquest of existing inhabitants—not a general principle of extermination.
The phrase 'as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee' anchors this command in God's prior instructions to Israel. Moses frames this as consistent with God's covenant regarding the land and its occupation.
Deuteronomy 20:17 in the Original Language
The term 'utterly destroy' (shamad, שׁמד) means to bring to complete ruin or annihilation, used specifically of conquest warfare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 20:17
What does Deuteronomy 20:17 mean?
Seven Canaanite peoples are named as those to be utterly destroyed.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 20:17?
The specific peoples of Canaan who are to be completely destroyed.