Deuteronomy 21:10

10 When you go forth to battle against your enemies, and Yahweh your God delivers them into your hands, and you carry them away captive,

Deuteronomy 21:10 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 21:10

When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies
This refers to an arbitrary war, as Jarchi remarks, which they entered into of themselves, of choice, or through being provoked to it by their enemies; and not a war commanded by the Lord, as that against the seven nations of Canaan, and against Amalek; since there were to be no captives in that war, but all were to be destroyed:

and the Lord thy God hath delivered them into thine hands;
given them the victory over their enemies, so that they were obliged to surrender themselves to them prisoners of war:

and thou hast taken them captive,
or "led his or their captivity ^F2 captive"; led them captive who used to lead others, denoting their conquest of victorious nations; see a like phrase in ( Psalms 68:18 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (wybv tybvw) "et captivam duxerit captivitatem ejus", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus.

Deuteronomy 21:10 In-Context

8 Forgive, Yahweh, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and don't allow innocent blood [to remain] in the midst of your people Israel. The blood shall be forgiven them.

9 So shall you put away the innocent blood from the midst of you, when you shall do that which is right in the eyes of Yahweh.

10 When you go forth to battle against your enemies, and Yahweh your God delivers them into your hands, and you carry them away captive,

11 and see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you have a desire to her, and would take her to you as wife;

12 then you shall bring her home to your house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;