Deuteronomy 20:12

12 And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt 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 thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.

11 And it shall be, if it make thee an answer of peace and open unto thee, then it shall be that all the people who are found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

12 And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it.

13 And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof 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 thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies which the LORD thy God hath given thee.