But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: (Deuteronomy 20:16)
Referring specifically to the cities of Canaan. No peace offer was to be made to them; God had previously given strict injunctions as to sparing any of them (Ex. 23:31-33; 34:11-16). Every precaution was taken to protect Israel from the degrading forms of idolatry practiced by the Canaanites. On the abominations of these people, see Lev. 18:24-28; 20:23.