Deuteronomychapter 20

20 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 179 cross-references outward and receives 131 — heaviest partner: Deuteronomy.

Chapter summary

Laws of war. ‘When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee’. A priest encourages; officers release — the new-house man, the new-vineyard man, the newly-betrothed man, the fearful. When approaching a far city, proclaim peace first; if refused, besiege. Cities of the seven nations of the land — destroy utterly. Do not destroy fruit trees — ‘is the tree of the field man's life?’ The chapter is Israel's war manual; its constraints are as notable as its permissions.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Deuteronomy overview for the book's full setting.

1 When thou goest forth to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, thou shalt not be afraid of them; for Jehovah thy God is with thee, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

2 And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,

3 and shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye draw nigh this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint; fear not, nor tremble, neither be ye affrighted at them;

4 for Jehovah your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

6 And what man is there that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not used the fruit thereof? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use the fruit thereof.

7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart melt as his heart.

9 And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall appoint captains of hosts at the head of the people.