דברים, פרק ג׳, פסוק ו׳

The campaign against the enemy in the Transjordan was an absolute and total operation, finalizing the earlier victory over Sihon. The Israelites carried out a complete destruction of the opposing forces [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The historical account clarifies exactly how this total ruin was executed, specifying that it involved wiping out the cities along with the women and children [ביאור יש״ר]. Furthermore, this was not a sudden, isolated event. Instead, it was a continuous and systematic process of elimination that advanced until the enemy was entirely removed [רש״י].

When detailing the conquered areas, commentators offer different perspectives on how to understand the inhabitants. The straightforward approach is that the description simply refers to groups of men or people, indicating that these were fully populated human settlements [נתינה לגר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, another perspective connects the identity of the inhabitants directly to the concept of death. According to this view, the phrasing intentionally hints at the lowliness of the people, framing them as weak mortals whose fate was already sealed. Drawing on similar biblical accounts of people who are few in number, frail, or in mortal danger, this emphasizes their absolute powerlessness against the overwhelming force that destroyed them [אם למקרא].