But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.
But you may keep for yourselves the women, children, livestock, and everything else in the city—all the valuable things you capture. You may use all these things that you take from your enemies, which the LORD your God has given to you.
This verse tells the Israelites they could keep the people and possessions from cities they conquered, viewing these as gifts from God.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Moses' instructions to Israel about warfare as they prepared to enter the Promised Land around 1400 BC. These were specific military regulations for conquering Canaanite cities, written in the context of ancient Near Eastern warfare practices. The instructions distinguished between distant cities (which could surrender and be spared) and nearby Canaanite cities (which were to be completely destroyed due to their religious practices).
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