Deuteronomy 20:3-4

3 "He shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted *. ¹Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before * them,

4 for the LORD your God ²is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 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.

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 20:1; Joshua 23:10
• 2. Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 3:22; Joshua 23:10