Spoil and livestock — As for all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the Israelites took as their booty; but all the people they struck down with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they did not leave any that breathed (נִשְׁמַת). The spoil (שָׁלָל) and livestock are claimed by Israel as material gain, but the human population is entirely annihilated. This distinction—sparing goods while eliminating people—illustrates the nature of the ban: it is a theological act of consecration (removing Canaanite inhabitants) rather than mere military conquest for territorial gain.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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