Joshua 6:21
New International Version
They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

New Living Translation
They completely destroyed everything in it with their swords—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys.

English Standard Version
Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.

Berean Standard Bible
With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.

King James Bible
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

New King James Version
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

New American Standard Bible
They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, sheep, and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

NASB 1995
They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

NASB 1977
And they utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they devoted to destruction everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

Amplified Bible
Then they utterly destroyed everything that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

Christian Standard Bible
They completely destroyed everything in the city with the sword—every man and woman, both young and old, and every ox, sheep, and donkey.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They completely destroyed everything in the city with the sword—every man and woman, both young and old, and every ox, sheep, and donkey.

American Standard Version
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

English Revised Version
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They claimed everything in it for the LORD. With their swords they killed men and women, young and old, as well as cattle, sheep, and donkeys.

Good News Translation
With their swords they killed everyone in the city, men and women, young and old. They also killed the cattle, sheep, and donkeys.

International Standard Version
They turned over everyone in the city for destruction and executed them, including both men and women, young and old, and oxen, sheep, and donkeys.

Majority Standard Bible
With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city?man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.

NET Bible
They annihilated with the sword everything that breathed in the city, including men and women, young and old, as well as cattle, sheep, and donkeys.

New Heart English Bible
They utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep, and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

World English Bible
They utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, sheep, and donkey, with the edge of the sword.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they devote all that [is] in the city, from man even to woman, from young even to aged, even to ox, and sheep, and donkey, by the mouth of the sword.

Young's Literal Translation
and they devote all that is in the city, from man even unto woman, from young even unto aged, even unto ox, and sheep, and ass, by the mouth of the sword.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will devote all which in the city, from man and even to woman, and from the youth even to the old man, and ox and sheep and ass, to the mouth of the sword.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And killed all that were in it, man and woman, young and old. The oxen also and the sheep, and the asses, they slew with the edge of the sword.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they put to death all who were in it, from man even to woman, from infant even to elder. Likewise, the oxen and sheep and donkeys, they struck down with the edge of the sword.

New American Bible
They observed the ban by putting to the sword all living creatures in the city: men and women, young and old, as well as oxen, sheep and donkeys.

New Revised Standard Version
Then they devoted to destruction by the edge of the sword all in the city, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they utterly destroyed all that were in the city, both men and women, young and old and oxen and sheep and asses, with the edge of the sword.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they attacked all that was in it with the sword, from the men and unto the women, and from the boys and unto the old men; they killed by the mouth of the sword unto the bulls, and unto the flocks and the donkeys
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and Joshua devoted it to destruction, and all things that were in the city, man and woman, young man and old, and calf and ass, with the edge of the sword.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Walls of Jericho
20So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it. 21At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city— man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys. 22Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:2
and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Deuteronomy 20:16-17
However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you,

1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

Numbers 21:2-3
So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction.” / And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.

1 Kings 20:42
And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’”

Leviticus 27:28-29
Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.

Judges 21:11
This is what you are to do: Devote to destruction every male, as well as every female who has had relations with a man.”

1 Samuel 15:8-9
He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. / Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.

1 Kings 9:21
their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

2 Chronicles 20:23
The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

Isaiah 34:2
The LORD is angry with all the nations and furious with all their armies. He will devote them to destruction; He will give them over to slaughter.

Ezekiel 9:5-6
And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Luke 19:27
And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”

Acts 3:23
Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’


Treasury of Scripture

And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

utterly

Joshua 9:24,25
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing…

Joshua 10:28,39
And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho…

Joshua 11:14
And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.

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Aged Ass Asses Cattle City Curse Death Destroyed Devote Devoted Donkey Edge Mercy Mouth Ox Oxen Sheep Sword Utterly Women Young
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Aged Ass Asses Cattle City Curse Death Destroyed Devote Devoted Donkey Edge Mercy Mouth Ox Oxen Sheep Sword Utterly Women Young
Joshua 6
1. Jericho is shut up
2. God instructs Joshua how to beseige it
12. The city is composed
17. It is accursed
20. The walls fall down
22. Rahab is saved
26. The builder of Jericho is cursed














At the edge of the sword
This phrase signifies the method of execution used by the Israelites, indicating a complete and decisive action. The Hebrew word for "sword" is "חֶרֶב" (chereb), which often symbolizes divine judgment and warfare in the Old Testament. The sword is not merely a weapon but a tool of God's justice, emphasizing the seriousness of the command given to the Israelites. Historically, the sword was a common instrument of war, and its use here underscores the totality of the conquest and the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver Jericho into Israel's hands.

they devoted to destruction
The Hebrew term used here is "חֵרֶם" (cherem), which means to devote something to God by completely destroying it. This concept is rooted in the idea of something being set apart for God, often through destruction, to prevent any contamination of Israel with pagan practices. This act of devotion is not merely an act of violence but a religious act of obedience to God's command, reflecting the seriousness of maintaining purity and holiness among God's people.

everything in the city
This phrase indicates the totality of the destruction commanded by God. The Hebrew word "כֹּל" (kol) means "all" or "everything," emphasizing that nothing was to be spared. This comprehensive destruction was intended to prevent any remnants of idolatry or pagan influence from corrupting the Israelites. It also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the holiness required by God.

man and woman, young and old
The inclusion of all people, regardless of age or gender, highlights the completeness of the judgment. This reflects the seriousness of sin and the extent of God's command. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such total destruction was not uncommon in warfare, but here it is specifically commanded by God as part of His divine plan. It underscores the idea that sin affects all and that God's judgment is impartial.

oxen, sheep, and donkeys
The mention of livestock indicates that the destruction extended beyond human life to include all living things within the city. This reflects the concept of "cherem," where everything associated with the city was to be devoted to God through destruction. The inclusion of animals underscores the thoroughness of the judgment and the need to remove all potential sources of idolatry or corruption. In a broader theological sense, it serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the extent of God's holiness.

(21) And ox, and sheep, and ass.--Even the animals must be destroyed, that Israel might not seem to be slaughtering the Canaanites for the sake of plunder. Everything was ordered in such a way as to mark the vengeance of God.

Verse 21. - And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city. For a discussion of the difficulties arising from this fulfilment of a stern decree, see Introduction.

CHAPTER 6:22-27. RAHAB'S DELIVERANCE. THE CURSE ON JERICHO. -

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At the edge
לְפִי־ (lə·p̄î-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the sword
חָֽרֶב׃ (ḥā·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

they utterly destroyed
וַֽיַּחֲרִ֙ימוּ֙ (way·ya·ḥă·rî·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2763: To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose

everything
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

in the city—
בָּעִ֔יר (bā·‘îr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

man
מֵאִישׁ֙ (mê·’îš)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and woman,
אִשָּׁ֔ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

young
מִנַּ֖עַר (min·na·‘ar)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

and
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

old,
זָקֵ֑ן (zā·qên)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2205: Old

oxen,
שׁ֥וֹר (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

sheep,
וָשֶׂ֛ה (wā·śeh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7716: A member of a, flock, a sheep, goat

and donkeys.
וַחֲמ֖וֹר (wa·ḥă·mō·wr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543: A male ass


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OT History: Joshua 6:21 They utterly destroyed all that was (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 6:20
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