Deuteronomy 20:12

12 Now if the city will not make peace with you, but makes 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 go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it.

11 And it shall be that if they accept your offer of peace, and open to you, then all the people who are found in it shall be placed under tribute to you, and serve you.

12 Now if the city will not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.

13 And when the Lord your God delivers it into your hands, you shall strike every male in it with the edge of the sword.

14 But the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall plunder for yourself; and you shall eat the enemies' plunder which the Lord your God gives you.