Deuteronomy 20:10

10 When thou comest nye vnto a citie to fight agenst it, offre them peace.

Deuteronomy 20:10 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 20:10

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it
This is to be understood of an arbitrary war, as Jarchi observes; which they engaged in of themselves, or were provoked to by their enemies; which was their own choice, and according to their own will and pleasure; and their conduct towards their enemies in it was different from that in a war with the seven nations, commanded by the Lord, and distinguished from it, ( Deuteronomy 20:15 Deuteronomy 20:16 ) .

then proclaim peace unto it;
that is, offer them terms of peace; which were, that the inhabitants of it should renounce idolatry, and become their tributaries and servants.

Deuteronomy 20:10 In-Context

8 And let the officers speake further vnto the people and saye. Yf any man feare and be faynte herted, let him goo and returne vnto his housse, lest his brothers hert be made faynte as well as his.

9 And when the officers haue made an ende off speakynge vnto the people, let the make captaynes of warre ouer them.

10 When thou comest nye vnto a citie to fight agenst it, offre them peace.

11 And yf they answere the agayne peasably, and open vnto the, then let all the people that is founde therein be tributaries vnto the and serue the.

12 But and yf they will make no peace with the, then make warre agenste the citie and besege it.