American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Deuteronomy 20
1
When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, and chariots, and a people more than you, be not afraid of them: for the LORD your God is with you, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 43:2
Joshua 1:5
References God
Psalm 20:7
Deuteronomy 31:6
Romans 8:31
Joshua 1:9
References Lord
Deuteronomy 31:8
Isaiah 31:1
Isaiah 7:14
Psalm 118:6
2
And it shall be, when you are come near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people,
Reference
3
And shall say to them, Hear, O Israel, you approach this day to battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be you terrified because of them;
Reference
4
For the LORD your God is he that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 8:37
References God
Deuteronomy 3:22
Deuteronomy 1:30
Joshua 23:10
Deuteronomy 11:25
Joshua 10:42
2 Chronicles 13:12
References Lord
Exodus 14:14
Deuteronomy 32:30
5
And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, What man is there that has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
Reference
Parallel theme
Nehemiah 12:27
6
And what man is he that has planted a vineyard, and has not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
7
And what man is there that has betrothed a wife, and has not taken her? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
Reference
8
And the officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return to his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
Reference
9
And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking to the people that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
10
When you come near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it.
Reference
Peace
Ephesians 2:17
11
And it shall be, if it make you answer of peace, and open to you, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries to you, and they shall serve you.
12
And if it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it:
13
And when the LORD your God has delivered it into your hands, you shall smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:
14
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shall you take to yourself; and you shall eat the spoil of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you.
Reference
15
Thus shall you do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations.
16
But of the cities of these people, which the LORD your God does give you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes:
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 11:14
Numbers 33:52
Joshua 10:28
Numbers 21:35
References God
Deuteronomy 7:16
Joshua 10:40
17
But you shall utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD your God has commanded you:
18
That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done to their gods; so should you sin against the LORD your God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:11
1 Corinthians 15:33
2 Thessalonians 3:14
References God
Exodus 34:16
Joshua 23:13
References Lord
2 Corinthians 6:17
Sin
Exodus 23:33
19
When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an ax against them: for you may eat of them, and you shall not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life) to employ them in the siege:
Reference
20
Only the trees which you know that they be not trees for meat, you shall destroy and cut them down; and you shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it be subdued.
Summary of Deuteronomy 20
Deuteronomy chapter 20 contains instructions pertaining to Israel’s warfare practice as the nation was about to enter the Promised Land. Moses provides directions concerning approaching a larger enemy force, exempted individuals, instructions for besieging cities and nations that God promised to deliver to Israel.
First of all, Moses addressed the Israelites’ potential fear when facing a more numerous enemy that possessed greater military advantages, such as horses and chariots. He assured them that they should not be afraid and remember that Lord brought them out of Egypt and marched with them. Next, Moses stated that before engaging in any warfare, priests should encourage the soldiers, assuring them that the Lord went with them and would fight for them, meaning that they should not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Moses continued by providing directions concerning those who were exempted from fighting. According to the instructions given by Moses, the officers should question the soldiers to determine whether they had recently built a house but had not dedicated it, planted a vineyard but had not eaten its fruit, or betrothed a woman but had not married her, and send them away if any of these was the case, since they could perish in the war and leave their belongings undistributed (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). Furthermore, the officers should detect fearful soldiers and send them home, so their fear would not discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9). Officers were to be appointed over the people who remained after those who were exempted or fearful had left (Deuteronomy 20:10). Moses continued by providing directions concerning the siege of cities.
When Israel was to engage cities belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, they were to offer them peace. If the people of the besieged city accepted Israel’s offer, they were to become servants to the Israelites and would be required to pay tribute. However, if the people of the besieged city did not accept this offer, Moses instructed the Israelites to surround the city and besiege it (Deuteronomy 20:10-12). According to Moses, if the Lord delivered the city into Israel’s hands, the soldiers were to put all the males to death but could take the women, children, animals, and spoil of the city as their plunder (Deuteronomy 20:13-14). These instructions applied to all cities not belonging to the nations that were in the land of Canaan.
However, the people of the nations that were in the land of Canaan, namely the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, were to be utterly destroyed, and Israel was not to make a covenant with them or allow them to live in the land (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). According to Moses, this instruction was related to Israel’s avoiding learning the detestable things of these nations and sinning against the Lord.
Moses announced that it was not right for the people of Israel to become unfaithful to the Lord by worshipping the false gods of the nations that they were supposed to conquer (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). The passage provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites.
Furthermore, Moses stated that when Israel was to besiege a city, the soldiers were not to cut down trees with axes to use their wood to build siege towers against the city, but they could use those that provided fruit for their sustenance (Deuteronomy 20:19).
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicts Israel’s warfare regulations concerning three distinct groups of people: those belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, those belonging to nations that were in Canaan, and those who were not required to fight. The Israelites were to offer peace to the former group and treat them differently depending on whether they accepted Israel’s offer. In addition, they were to show mercy to the members of the third group.
However, they were to engage in a total war against the people of the nations that were in Canaan, showing no mercy and putting all the males to death. The chapter revealed that the Lord commanded Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan and promised him victory in this endeavor. Nevertheless, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering the land. The instructions concerning warfare in Deuteronomy chapter 20 reveal God’s concern with Israel’s faithfulness and obedience and the need to maintain a clear distinction between Israel and the nations surrounding them. They also depict the sternness with which God viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways that it would involve.
In particular, Deuteronomy 20:17-18 provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites. Moses instructed the Israelites not to fear their enemies because the Lord would fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Nevertheless, not all the Israelites were to participate in the war, and those who were exempted were to be sent home (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). In addition, those who were afraid were to inform the officers, so their fear was not to discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9).
The chapter reveals that the Lord desired that the Israelites did not engage in any unfaithfulness, which could lead them to following the detestable practices of the Canaanites. Moses provided these instructions when Israel was about to enter the land that the Lord had promised to give to Abraham’s descendants. Therefore, the chapter reveals that the Lord was concerned with Israel’s faithfulness, which He viewed as integral to their success in the conquest of Canaan. It also shows that the Lord valued obedience to His instructions, which He viewed as necessary for the prosperity of His people.
Thus, Deuteronomy chapter 20 provides instructions concerning Israel’s warfare practice. The Israelites were to show mercy to those who were not required to fight or did not want to and those who accepted their offers of peace. However, they were to show no mercy to the people of the nations that were in Canaan, putting all the males to death. Furthermore, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering Canaan, and they were to obey His instructions concerning the treatment of the people and the resources of the land.
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicted the instructions pertaining to Israel’s warfare practice when it was about to enter the Promised Land, where the people of numerous nations lived. The Lord wanted the Israelites to show mercy to those who did not want to fight but continue fighting those who refused to make peace and put all the males of the nations that were in Canaan to death. The sternness with which the Lord viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways, as well as the promise of victory when they were obeying Him, were also revealed in this chapter.
First of all, Moses addressed the Israelites’ potential fear when facing a more numerous enemy that possessed greater military advantages, such as horses and chariots. He assured them that they should not be afraid and remember that Lord brought them out of Egypt and marched with them. Next, Moses stated that before engaging in any warfare, priests should encourage the soldiers, assuring them that the Lord went with them and would fight for them, meaning that they should not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Moses continued by providing directions concerning those who were exempted from fighting. According to the instructions given by Moses, the officers should question the soldiers to determine whether they had recently built a house but had not dedicated it, planted a vineyard but had not eaten its fruit, or betrothed a woman but had not married her, and send them away if any of these was the case, since they could perish in the war and leave their belongings undistributed (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). Furthermore, the officers should detect fearful soldiers and send them home, so their fear would not discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9). Officers were to be appointed over the people who remained after those who were exempted or fearful had left (Deuteronomy 20:10). Moses continued by providing directions concerning the siege of cities.
When Israel was to engage cities belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, they were to offer them peace. If the people of the besieged city accepted Israel’s offer, they were to become servants to the Israelites and would be required to pay tribute. However, if the people of the besieged city did not accept this offer, Moses instructed the Israelites to surround the city and besiege it (Deuteronomy 20:10-12). According to Moses, if the Lord delivered the city into Israel’s hands, the soldiers were to put all the males to death but could take the women, children, animals, and spoil of the city as their plunder (Deuteronomy 20:13-14). These instructions applied to all cities not belonging to the nations that were in the land of Canaan.
However, the people of the nations that were in the land of Canaan, namely the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, were to be utterly destroyed, and Israel was not to make a covenant with them or allow them to live in the land (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). According to Moses, this instruction was related to Israel’s avoiding learning the detestable things of these nations and sinning against the Lord.
Moses announced that it was not right for the people of Israel to become unfaithful to the Lord by worshipping the false gods of the nations that they were supposed to conquer (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). The passage provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites.
Furthermore, Moses stated that when Israel was to besiege a city, the soldiers were not to cut down trees with axes to use their wood to build siege towers against the city, but they could use those that provided fruit for their sustenance (Deuteronomy 20:19).
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicts Israel’s warfare regulations concerning three distinct groups of people: those belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, those belonging to nations that were in Canaan, and those who were not required to fight. The Israelites were to offer peace to the former group and treat them differently depending on whether they accepted Israel’s offer. In addition, they were to show mercy to the members of the third group.
However, they were to engage in a total war against the people of the nations that were in Canaan, showing no mercy and putting all the males to death. The chapter revealed that the Lord commanded Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan and promised him victory in this endeavor. Nevertheless, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering the land. The instructions concerning warfare in Deuteronomy chapter 20 reveal God’s concern with Israel’s faithfulness and obedience and the need to maintain a clear distinction between Israel and the nations surrounding them. They also depict the sternness with which God viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways that it would involve.
In particular, Deuteronomy 20:17-18 provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites. Moses instructed the Israelites not to fear their enemies because the Lord would fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Nevertheless, not all the Israelites were to participate in the war, and those who were exempted were to be sent home (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). In addition, those who were afraid were to inform the officers, so their fear was not to discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9).
The chapter reveals that the Lord desired that the Israelites did not engage in any unfaithfulness, which could lead them to following the detestable practices of the Canaanites. Moses provided these instructions when Israel was about to enter the land that the Lord had promised to give to Abraham’s descendants. Therefore, the chapter reveals that the Lord was concerned with Israel’s faithfulness, which He viewed as integral to their success in the conquest of Canaan. It also shows that the Lord valued obedience to His instructions, which He viewed as necessary for the prosperity of His people.
Thus, Deuteronomy chapter 20 provides instructions concerning Israel’s warfare practice. The Israelites were to show mercy to those who were not required to fight or did not want to and those who accepted their offers of peace. However, they were to show no mercy to the people of the nations that were in Canaan, putting all the males to death. Furthermore, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering Canaan, and they were to obey His instructions concerning the treatment of the people and the resources of the land.
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicted the instructions pertaining to Israel’s warfare practice when it was about to enter the Promised Land, where the people of numerous nations lived. The Lord wanted the Israelites to show mercy to those who did not want to fight but continue fighting those who refused to make peace and put all the males of the nations that were in Canaan to death. The sternness with which the Lord viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways, as well as the promise of victory when they were obeying Him, were also revealed in this chapter.