“When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you… and when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them.” — Deuteronomy 7:1-2

Many modern readers find Deuteronomy’s call for Israel to obliterate their Canaanite rivals troubling.

Anxious to address the morality of these commands, some scholars have attempted to downplay their gravity. Some have argued that Deuteronomy’s call to commit the Canaanites to destruction may represent rhetorical hyperbole.

While these laws were almost certainly never enacted historically, they do provide a valuable window into the parochial mechanism behind scapegoating and persecution.

Central to Deuteronomy is Israel’s desire for the Land of Canaan. However, this desire brings Israel into conflict with their Canaanite neighbours, who desire to maintain possession of the Land.

Conflict and dehumanisation

As this conflict escalates, both parties begin to view the other as a monstrous anathema, who stands between them and the object of their desire.

The dehumanisation of the Canaanites serves to facilitate their slaughter by stifling feelings of empathy or compassion.

This violence is even framed as a sacred duty or obligation, as Israel are commanded to exterminate their Canaanite rivals. Thus, we can observe how Israel’s desire for the Land of Canaan inspires the demonisation and scapegoating of their Canaanite rivals.

A warning for today

Israel’s persecution of their Canaanite neighbours, in the book of Deuteronomy, serves as a warning for us all.

We all fall prey to the lie that certain objects will make us whole and complete. We place misguided faith in that new house, car, relationship, or vocation, that it might finally bring us lasting peace and contentment.

The modern mirror of desire

This deception brings us into conflict with others, who we begin to see as obstacles to our joy and happiness.

Soon we begin to resent these people and harbour hatred towards them, just as Israel did with their Canaanite neighbours.

The liberation of truth

But exposing this lie sets us free.

Recognising the process that generates strife and hatred from our misguided desire allows us to repent and empathise with others as fellow humans, rather than just obstacles to our own hopes and dreams.

Only then can we experience true peace and contentment in communion with others.

• Dr Simon Skidmore is a Brisbane-based biblical scholar and educator. He is the creator of The Mimetic Exegete podcast, which applies mimetic theory to biblical texts, offering unique insights and practical applications. His recent book, Capital Punishment in the Pentateuch, explores ritual killing through René Girard’s mimetic theory.