Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 20:17 mean when it says 'utterly destroy them'?
A: The verse commands the Israelites to completely remove the seven Canaanite nations (Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites) from the land of Israel. According to Rashi and Rambam, this was a specific commandment for that time due to their extreme idolatry and moral corruption, which posed a spiritual danger to the Jewish people. It does not apply to other nations or times.
Q: Why were these specific nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 20:17?
A: These seven nations (Hittites, Amorites, etc.) inhabited the land of Canaan and were known for their severe idolatry and immoral practices, including child sacrifice. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 104a) explains that their behavior was so corrupt that they posed an existential threat to the moral and spiritual foundation of the Jewish people entering the land.
Q: Does Deuteronomy 20:17 apply to warfare today?
A: No, this commandment was specific to the conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:4) states that these nations no longer exist as identifiable groups, and the laws of war in the Torah distinguish between obligatory wars (like this one) and discretionary wars. Modern warfare follows different halachic guidelines.
Q: What is the spiritual lesson from Deuteronomy 20:17?
A: The Midrash teaches that just as the Israelites were commanded to remove negative influences from the land, we must 'destroy' negative traits (like arrogance or dishonesty) within ourselves. The verse reminds us to create spiritual purity in our personal 'land' - our hearts and homes - by removing harmful influences.
Q: How could a merciful God command the destruction of nations?
A: Traditional Jewish sources (including Rambam's Guide for the Perplexed 3:31) explain that: 1) These nations were given centuries to repent (since Abraham's time), 2) Their extreme cruelty and idolatry would have corrupted the moral foundation of Israel's society, and 3) The Torah later commands ethical treatment of enemies when not under these specific circumstances (Deuteronomy 20:10).
Context of the Command
The verse (Devarim 20:17) commands the complete destruction of the seven Canaanite nations—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as part of the mitzvah to eradicate idolatry from Eretz Yisrael. This commandment is rooted in the Torah's earlier instructions (e.g., Shemot 23:23-33) to prevent the moral and spiritual corruption that would arise from coexistence with these nations (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Avodah Zarah 7:1).
Reason for the Destruction
Rashi explains that these nations were singled out because of their extreme wickedness and idolatrous practices, which posed a spiritual danger to Bnei Yisrael. The Torah emphasizes "ka'asher tzivcha Hashem Elokecha" ("as the Lord your God has commanded you") to underscore that this was a divine decree, not an act of human cruelty (Rashi on Devarim 20:17). The Ramban adds that their moral depravity, including practices like child sacrifice, justified their eradication (Ramban on Devarim 20:16).
Halachic and Ethical Considerations
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Tanchuma, Shoftim 15) compares the Canaanite nations to a rotting limb that must be amputated to save the body—symbolizing the necessity of removing evil influences to preserve the holiness of Am Yisrael. The Kli Yakar further notes that their destruction was a precondition for establishing a society based on Torah values in Eretz Yisrael.