Deuteronomy 20:12

12 However, if the city does not negotiate peacefully with you but makes war against you, you may attack 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 approach a city to fight against it, you should first extend peaceful terms to it.

11 If the city responds with peaceful terms and surrenders to you, then all the people in the city will serve you as forced laborers.

12 However, if the city does not negotiate peacefully with you but makes war against you, you may attack it.

13 The LORD your God will hand it over to you; you must kill all the city's males with the sword.

14 However, you can take for yourselves the women, the children, the animals, and all that is in the city—all its plunder. You can then enjoy your enemies' plunder, which the LORD your God has given you.