What does Deuteronomy 3:6 Mean?

Deuteronomy 3:6 states, "And we devoted them to destruction, as we did to Sihon the king of Heshbon, devoting to destruction every city, men, women, and children."

This verse describes the Israelites' practice of devoting conquered cities to destruction, which meant that they were completely destroyed and everyone, including men, women, and children, was killed. The Israelites had previously done this to Sihon, the king of Heshbon, and they continued this practice with the cities they conquered in the region of Bashan.

At its core, Deuteronomy 3:6 highlights the severity of the Israelites' conquest of the land of Canaan. It shows that they were willing to use extreme measures, including the complete destruction of cities and their inhabitants, in order to claim the land that God had promised them.

As Christians, it can be challenging to reconcile the violent language of Deuteronomy 3:6 with our understanding of a loving and merciful God. However, we can also see this passage as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's plan for our lives, even when it may be difficult to understand or reconcile with our own values and beliefs.