דברים, פרק ב׳, פסוק ל״ה

Following the decisive victory over Sihon and the destruction of the enemy cities, the Israelites turn their attention to the remaining property. With the military campaign concluded, the focus shifts to gathering the livestock and goods left behind. The taking of these spoils applies equally to the animals and the property found within the captured cities [ביאור יש״ר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, there is a careful conceptual distinction in how this wealth is handled. The act of claiming the spoil represents the initial confiscation of the property from its former owners, while the looting itself refers to the subsequent distribution of goods that had been rendered ownerless [רש ר הירש].

This collection of wealth is not absolute. The Israelites do not take all the available livestock for their personal use. Instead, they restrict themselves to claiming only the lean animals. The finest, fattest livestock are set aside, dedicated, and offered as sacrifices to God, serving as the first fruits of the conquered property [בעל הטורים].

The specific nature of the looting during the war against Sihon stands in stark contrast to the later campaign against Og. One perspective suggests a psychological shift based on wealth and satisfaction. During the battle with Sihon, the Israelites gather massive amounts of clothing, livestock, and goods. Because the war with Og occurs shortly afterward, the people are already wealthy and fully satisfied. Consequently, they treat the new spoils with disdain, taking only silver and gold while destroying the clothing and driving away the flocks [צאינה וראינה, העמק דבר].

Alternatively, the difference can be understood through the organizational structure of the two campaigns. During the conflict with Sihon, the entire nation fights together as equals. As a result, the confiscation of property is a highly regulated and calculated process, with the livestock and goods divided evenly and carefully among all the warriors. In contrast, the battle against Og does not involve equal participation from everyone, leading to a breakdown in organized distribution. The captured property is simply left abandoned, allowing anyone with the strength to take whatever they want without any formal accounting [העמק דבר].