Calling for Peace in the Conquest of Canaan/2

Calling for Peace in the Conquest of Canaan

Exegetical Approaches

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Prohibited

It is prohibited to call for peace to the Seven Nations and any overtures for peace on their part are rejected.

Sources:Perhaps Sifre Devarim20About Sifre Devarim,¹ Pesikta DeRav Kahana13:5About Pesikta DeRav Kahana, RashiBemidbar 21:22Devarim 20:10-18Sotah 35bAbout R. Shelomo Yitzchaki,²  R. Yosef Bekhor ShorDevarim 20:16About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, perhaps Rambam Sefer HaMitzvotPositive Commandments 190About Rambam Sefer HaMitzvot,³

"רַק מֵעָרֵי הָעַמִּים הָאֵלֶּה" – According to these sources, the word "רק" (only) in this phrase serve to contrast verses Devarim 20:16-18 with the entire preceding unit (verses 10-15).⁴  As such, the verses teach that Canaanite cities ("הָעַמִּים הָאֵלֶּה") differ from "distant cities" on two points, both with regards to whether there is an obligation to call for peace and what to do if that peace is rejected.⁵

"הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִים אֹתָם" – This position is supported by the many verses throughout Torah⁶ which speak of annihilating the Seven Nations aand do not mention any alternative option for peace.

"לֹא תִכְרֹת לָהֶם בְּרִית... וְלֹא תִתְחַתֵּן בָּם "

Trickery of Givonim – Both the trickery of the Givonim and the nation's anger on hearing that they were tricked are totally understandable.  The Givonites correctly understood that their only chance for survival was to convince the Israelites that they were from a distant city, since the Israelite were obligated to destroy any from the Seven Nations and would not allow them to surrender and make peace. The Isarelites, for their part, were upset as they had unknowingly violated Hashem's commandments against making covenanats and opeace

Obligated

There is an obligation to offer peace terms before waging war against the Seven Nations, similar to the obligation before fighting an "optional war" against other enemies.  This position subdivides regarding the extent of the call and ensuing peace:

Accepted

Although the Israelites are not commanded to seek out peace, if, before hostilities commence, the Canaanites take the initiative to submit themselves to Israel, their surrender is accepted.

Sources:RashbamDevarim 20:16About R. Shemuel b. Meir, ChizkuniDevarim 20:11-17About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach

¹ Sifre 199 states that the verses in Devarim which speak of negotiating for peace relate only to "optional wars".  Nonetheless, on Devarim 20:8, the Sifre says that if the Canaanites repent they are not killed. It is possible that the Midrash is speaking only of individuals who repent and assumes that the nation as a whole is not given that option. Ramban, however, attempts to explain that the Sifre really thinks that there is a call to peace in all wars, and is only saying that in cases where an enemy decides to fight, it is only in "optional wars" that the women and children are left alive.

² This is Rashi's opinion in his comments on Bavli Sotah 35b. However, in his commentary to Devarim 20:18 he says that Canaanites who repent and convert will be accepted.  It is possible that there he is speaking about individuals which might be exempted and only in cases where they not only reject idolatry but accept all of the Torah's laws..

³ In his Sefer HaMitzvot,

⁴ Cf. the opinion below which assumes that they serve as a contrast only to the immediately preceding verses (12-14) and relate only to whether or not women and children must be killed if peace is rejected.

⁵ While it is mandatory to seek peace before engaging in war with distant cities, this is prohibited with regards to the Canaanite cities.  In addition, if the peace offer is not accepted, only males of distant cities are to be killed while their women and children are to be saved.  In contrast, all members of Canaanite cities are to be destroyed.

⁶ See, for instance Shemot 23:32-33, Shemot 34:11-16, Bemidbar 33:51-53,  and Devarim 7:1-2.