Deuteronomy 20:12

12 If it will make no shalom with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it:

Deuteronomy 20:12 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:12

And if it will make no peace with thee
Will not accept of terms of peace offered:

but will make war against thee;
come out and fight, or prepare to defend themselves: then thou shall besiege it; surround and block it up on all sides with their forces; the Jews say only on three sides, leaving one for any to flee and make their escape if they thought fit; (See Gill on Numbers 31:7).

Deuteronomy 20:12 In-Context

10 When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim shalom to it.

11 It shall be, if it make you answer of shalom, and open to you, then it shall be, that all the people who are found therein shall become tributary to you, and shall serve you.

12 If it will make no shalom with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it:

13 and when the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, you shall strike every male of it 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 of it, shall you take for a prey to yourself; and you shall eat the spoil of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you.