Deuteronomy 20:15
"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 the LORD your God has given you."
Key Reflection
In Deuteronomy 20:15, Moses is giving instructions to Israel as they are about to conquer and settle the Promised Land. The original audience would understand that this command specifically targets the civilian population of conquered cities—women, children, livestock, and possessions—while allowing them to take plunder as a reward from God for their military victory. This context highlights the dual nature of the conquest: both as a divine mission to claim the land promised to Abraham and his descendants, and as a practical necessity to secure resources for the new community.
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