To all [these questions] the context replies. For, first, each one went up by the place which was over against him (v. 20). The discourse is of the warriors, as appears from what follows. For these had a sword for killing; and there was no reason why others should wish to enter, especially in that first fury of the storming. For perhaps some of the men of Jericho, unarmed, might have hurt them; and nothing of the booty was owed to be taken by anyone into his own private property. But the things which were to be received for the Lord, the warriors themselves could receive and keep. Yet afterward, when all had already been killed, it could come about that, for the sake of seeing so noble a city, those who wished — men and women, boys and old men — should enter it from the whole army of the Israelites, before the devouring flame should lay waste all things. Secondly, they took the city. Thirdly, they killed all that were in it. To the things themselves our interpreter [the Vulgate] applies a fitting word, which the Hebrews render “effected” [carried out]. And that is, iacherim [יַחֲרִימוּ, from ḥerem, “they put under the ban”], that is, they made an anathema of all that was in the city — namely, by that command which was above prescribed [in] qq. 14 and 18. And therefore the 70 also render [it] ἀνεθεμάτισαν [anethematisan, “they devoted to destruction”]. Now there is subjoined a certain particular enumeration of all those [things] at v. 21: “From man to woman, from infant to old man. The oxen also, and sheep, and asses, they smote with the edge of the sword.” And at v. 24…
(col. 767)
…[And at v. 24] “the city, and all that was in it, they burned.” There was a twofold exception from that anathema. One, as to persons: namely Rahab, and all who [were] of her kindred, [saved] together with her, at v. 23. The other, as to things, twofold: some, namely, common to the whole city; others proper to Rahab herself. The former were metal objects — gold, silver, vessels of bronze [and] iron (v. 24). The latter, namely, Rahab’s own house and all that [was] in it — but see below, qq. 33/35.