Deuteronomy 20:2

2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.

Deuteronomy 20:2 in Other Translations

2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,

2 And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people

2 When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops.

2 When the battle is about to begin, let the priest come forward and speak to the troops.

2 When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army.

Deuteronomy 20:2 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle
When all things are preparing for it, and it seems unavoidable:

that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people;
not any priest, but one appointed for this service; who is called

the anointed of war,
as Jarchi and Aben Ezra observe, and concerning whom Maimonides ^F4 is more particular; he says,

``they appoint a priest to speak to the people at the time of war, and they anoint him with the anointing oil, and he is called the anointed of war; twice the anointed of war speaks unto the people, once in a book at the time they go forth, before they set in battle array, he says to the people, "what man is there" and when he has caused his words to be heard, he returns; at another time, when they are set in array, he says, "fear not"''

this man seems to be an emblem of Gospel ministers, who are anointed with the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, and whose business it is to encourage the people of God to fight the Lord's battles against sin, Satan, and the world, and not to be afraid of their spiritual enemies; directing them to take to them the whole armour of God, and to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ, to follow him the captain of their salvation, assuring them of victory through him who makes them more than conquerors, and that their warfare is or shortly will be accomplished.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 Hilchot Melachim, c. 7. sect. 1, 2.

Deuteronomy 20:2 In-Context

1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.

2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.

3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.

4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

5 The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it.