And ye shall smite... shall fell... — These verbs are continuative of those in the last verse, i.e., they do not command a course of action, but foretell it. (Comp. 2 Kings 8:12-13.) Taken as commands, they appear to conflict with Deuteronomy 20:19, where the felling of an enemy’s fruit trees for the purposes of siege-works is forbidden. Keil, however, explains that the law relates to Canaanite territory which the Israelites were to occupy, whereas Moab’s was an enemy’s country, and therefore not to be spared.
Fenced city... choice city. — There is a paronomasia, or play on words of similar sound, in the Hebrew: ‘îr mibçâr... ‘îr mibhôr.
Every good tree — i.e., fruit-bearing trees.
Stop. — Genesis 26:15; Genesis 26:18.
Mar. — Literally, make to grieve: a poetical expression. An unfruitful land is said to mourn (Isaiah 24:4; Jeremiah 12:4).
Every good piece of land. — All the good demesne (literally, portion, allotment).