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.
Apart from certain specified exceptions, the Israelites were to spare nothing and keep nothing (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; Deuteronomy 20:16-18). The judgment had a religious significance, and everything was to be devoted to God for destruction. It was ‘devoted’, or ‘holy’, not in the sense of being morally pure, but in the sense of being forbidden to humans. People could not use devoted things for themselves. By destroying them, they were, in effect, presenting them to God and then carrying out God’s judgment upon them (see 6:17-18; Leviticus 27:28-29; Deuteronomy 13:17). Concerning the destruction of the Canaanites’ possessions, precious metals were excepted. These were added to Israel’s treasury, probably after they were ceremonially purified by being passed through fire and washed in water (see 6:19; Numbers 31:21-23).