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Deuteronomy 20:1-6

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Laws Concerning Warfare

1 "When you go out to war against your enemies, and see 1horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is 2with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
2 And when you draw near to the battle, 3the priest shall come forward and speak to the people
3 and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them,
4 for the LORD your God is he who goes with you 4to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'
5 Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, 'Is there any man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it.
6 And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not 5enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit.
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Deuteronomy 20:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 20

In this chapter rules are given to be observed in times of war. When a battle was near, a priest was to address the soldiers, and encourage them to fight, De 20:1-4, then the officers were to declare who might return home, De 20:5-9 when an enemy's city was approached, peace was to be proclaimed on certain conditions, which, if accepted of, the inhabitants were to be tributaries and servants, but if not, when taken, all were to be put to the sword, excepting women, children, and cattle, De 20:10-15, but those of the seven nations were to be utterly destroyed, De 20:16-18, and, during a siege, no trees bearing fruit fit for food were to be cut down, De 20:19.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 5

  • 1. [Joshua 17:18; Psalms 20:7; Isaiah 31:1]
  • 2. Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; 2 Chronicles 13:12; 2 Chronicles 32:8
  • 3. [Numbers 10:8, 9; Numbers 31:6]
  • 4. Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 3:22; Joshua 23:10
  • 5. Deuteronomy 28:30; Leviticus 19:23-25; [1 Corinthians 9:7]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.