Deuteronomy 3:7 Meaning and Explanation
“But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel takes all livestock and valuables from the cities for themselves.
The Context of Deuteronomy 3:7
Israel plunders the conquered territory.
What Does Deuteronomy 3:7 Mean?
A contrast follows the destruction: while the people are eliminated, the material wealth is preserved and claimed. Cattle represent moveable wealth and resources for sustenance; spoil of the cities includes gold, silver, weapons, and other valuables. Israel benefits materially from the conquest.
This distinction between destruction of people and taking of property was customary in ancient warfare. It shows that the conquest had practical economic benefits alongside its theological significance as the acquisition of the Promised Land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 3:7
What does Deuteronomy 3:7 mean?
Israel takes all livestock and valuables from the cities for themselves.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 3:7?
Israel plunders the conquered territory.