Deuteronomy 20:14
“but the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, even all its plunder, you shall take for plunder for yourself. You may use the plunder of your enemies, which Yahweh your God has given you.”
What does Deuteronomy 20:14 mean?
This passage reflects the ancient practice of taking spoils after military victory, which was common across all ancient Near Eastern cultures. The verse distinguishes between combatants and non-combatants, directing that civilians and their possessions become the victor's property rather than being destroyed—which, while difficult for us to read, was actually a restraint compared to many ancient warfare practices. For readers today, it's worth knowing this falls within the specific historical and legal code given to Israel for settling their promised land, not a timeless command for all people everywhere. The broader biblical story shows God gradually reshaping Israel's practices toward greater mercy and justice, culminating in Jesus's teaching about loving enemies and rejecting violence. If this passage troubles you (and it's okay if it does), you're not alone. Many faithful people wrestle with Old Testament descriptions of war. What matters is recognizing that God's character reveals itself most fully through Jesus, who embodied radical compassion even toward those who harmed him.