* kill every male.
   The sword of war should spare women and children, as incapable
   of resisting; but the sword of justice knows no distinction,
   except that of guilty or not guilty, or more or less guilty.
   This was the execution of a righteous sentence upon a guilty
   nation, in which the women were the greatest criminals; and it
   may safely be said, that their lives were forfeited by their
   personal transgressions.  With respect to the execution of the
   male infants, who cannot be supposed to have been guilty, God,
   the author and supporter of life, who has a right to dispose
   of it when and how he thinks proper, commanded it; and "shall
   not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

  Jud 21:11,12 
 * him.  Heb. a male.