Definition: And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 3:6. It's a pretty serious statement about God’s power and how He dealt with people who were defying Him. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that God completely destroyed a group of people – the Sihons, who lived in Heshbon – as a punishment for their wickedness. It's a very clear example of God’s power and judgment. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And we utterly destroyed them…” : This is the core of the verse. “Utterly” means completely and without exception. It wasn’t just a partial destruction; everything was taken away. “…as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon…” : This identifies the people being targeted. Sihon was a powerful king who built an impressive city called Heshbon. This verse describes God's action specifically against him and his kingdom. "...utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city." : This is the most important part. It’s not just about destroying the city itself; it’s about destroying everything – all people within that city – regardless of their status (men, women, or children). It emphasizes that God didn't care about who was involved in Sihon's wickedness. What does this mean practically? This verse is a warning to the Israelites and to all people – especially those who are being misled or disobeyed from God’s will – to be careful not to follow the ways of the wicked. It suggests that disobedience and idolatry (worshiping other gods) can lead to terrible consequences. In short, it's a powerful statement about God’s absolute power and His judgment against those who defy him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context for this story (like the history of Sihon)? Discuss what this verse might teach us about obedience or trust in God?