Deuteronomy 20:12

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

13 And when the Lord thy God hath delyuered it in to thine handes, smyte all the males thereof with the edge of the swerde,

14 saue the weme and the childern and the catell and all that is in the citie and all the spoyle thereof take vnto thy selfe and eate the spoyle of thyne enemies which the Lord thy God geueth the.