New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Deuteronomy 20
1
When you go to war against your enemies, you might see that they have horses and chariots. They might even have an army that is stronger than yours. But don't be afraid of them. The Lord your God will be with you. After all, he brought you up out of Egypt.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 43:2
Joshua 1:5
References God
Psalm 20:7
Deuteronomy 31:6
Romans 8:31
Joshua 1:9
References Lord
Deuteronomy 31:8
Isaiah 31:1
Isaiah 7:14
Psalm 118:6
3
He'll say, "Men of Israel, listen to me. Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Don't be scared. Don't be afraid. Don't panic. Don't be terrified by them.
Reference
4
The Lord your God is going with you. He'll fight for you. He'll help you win the battle over your enemies."
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 8:37
References God
Deuteronomy 3:22
Deuteronomy 1:30
Joshua 23:10
Deuteronomy 11:25
Joshua 10:42
2 Chronicles 13:12
References Lord
Exodus 14:14
Deuteronomy 32:30
5
The officers will speak to the army. They will say, "Has anyone built a new house and not started to live in it? Let him go home. If he doesn't, he might die in battle. Then someone else will live in his house.
Reference
Parallel theme
Nehemiah 12:27
6
Has anyone planted a vineyard and not started to enjoy it? Let him go home. If he doesn't, he might die in battle. Then someone else will enjoy his vineyard.
7
Has anyone promised to get married to a woman but hasn't done it yet? Let him go home. If he doesn't, he might die in battle. Then someone else will marry her."
Reference
8
The officers will continue, "Is any man afraid? Is anyone scared? Let him go home. Then the other men won't lose hope too."
Reference
9
The officers will finish speaking to the army. When they do, they'll appoint commanders over it.
10
Suppose you march up to attack a city. Before you attack it, offer peace to its people.
Reference
Peace
Ephesians 2:17
11
Suppose they accept your offer and open their gates. Then force all of the people in the city to be your slaves. They will have to work for you.
12
But suppose they refuse your offer of peace and prepare for battle. Then surround that city. Get ready to attack it.
13
The Lord your God will hand it over to you. When he does, kill all of the men with your swords.
14
But you can take the women and children for yourselves. You can also take the livestock and everything else in the city. What you have captured from your enemies you can use for yourselves. The Lord your God has given it to you.
Reference
15
That's how you must treat all of the cities that are far away from you. Those cities don't belong to the nations that are nearby.
16
But what about the cities the Lord your God is giving you as your own? Kill everything in those cities that breathes.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 11:14
Numbers 33:52
Joshua 10:28
Numbers 21:35
References God
Deuteronomy 7:16
Joshua 10:40
17
Completely destroy them. Wipe out the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. That's what the Lord your God commanded you to do.
18
If you don't destroy them, they'll teach you to follow all of the things the Lord hates. He hates the way they worship their gods. If you do those things, you will sin against the Lord your God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:11
1 Corinthians 15:33
2 Thessalonians 3:14
References God
Exodus 34:16
Joshua 23:13
References Lord
2 Corinthians 6:17
Sin
Exodus 23:33
19
Suppose you surround a city and get ready to attack it. And suppose you fight against it for a long time in order to capture it. Then don't chop its trees down and destroy them. You can eat their fruit. So don't cut them down. The trees of the field aren't people. So why should you attack them?
Reference
20
But you can cut down trees that you know aren't fruit trees. You can build war machines out of their wood. You can use them until you capture the city you are fighting against.
Summary of Deuteronomy 20
Deuteronomy chapter 20 contains instructions pertaining to Israel’s warfare practice as the nation was about to enter the Promised Land. Moses provides directions concerning approaching a larger enemy force, exempted individuals, instructions for besieging cities and nations that God promised to deliver to Israel.
First of all, Moses addressed the Israelites’ potential fear when facing a more numerous enemy that possessed greater military advantages, such as horses and chariots. He assured them that they should not be afraid and remember that Lord brought them out of Egypt and marched with them. Next, Moses stated that before engaging in any warfare, priests should encourage the soldiers, assuring them that the Lord went with them and would fight for them, meaning that they should not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Moses continued by providing directions concerning those who were exempted from fighting. According to the instructions given by Moses, the officers should question the soldiers to determine whether they had recently built a house but had not dedicated it, planted a vineyard but had not eaten its fruit, or betrothed a woman but had not married her, and send them away if any of these was the case, since they could perish in the war and leave their belongings undistributed (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). Furthermore, the officers should detect fearful soldiers and send them home, so their fear would not discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9). Officers were to be appointed over the people who remained after those who were exempted or fearful had left (Deuteronomy 20:10). Moses continued by providing directions concerning the siege of cities.
When Israel was to engage cities belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, they were to offer them peace. If the people of the besieged city accepted Israel’s offer, they were to become servants to the Israelites and would be required to pay tribute. However, if the people of the besieged city did not accept this offer, Moses instructed the Israelites to surround the city and besiege it (Deuteronomy 20:10-12). According to Moses, if the Lord delivered the city into Israel’s hands, the soldiers were to put all the males to death but could take the women, children, animals, and spoil of the city as their plunder (Deuteronomy 20:13-14). These instructions applied to all cities not belonging to the nations that were in the land of Canaan.
However, the people of the nations that were in the land of Canaan, namely the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, were to be utterly destroyed, and Israel was not to make a covenant with them or allow them to live in the land (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). According to Moses, this instruction was related to Israel’s avoiding learning the detestable things of these nations and sinning against the Lord.
Moses announced that it was not right for the people of Israel to become unfaithful to the Lord by worshipping the false gods of the nations that they were supposed to conquer (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). The passage provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites.
Furthermore, Moses stated that when Israel was to besiege a city, the soldiers were not to cut down trees with axes to use their wood to build siege towers against the city, but they could use those that provided fruit for their sustenance (Deuteronomy 20:19).
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicts Israel’s warfare regulations concerning three distinct groups of people: those belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, those belonging to nations that were in Canaan, and those who were not required to fight. The Israelites were to offer peace to the former group and treat them differently depending on whether they accepted Israel’s offer. In addition, they were to show mercy to the members of the third group.
However, they were to engage in a total war against the people of the nations that were in Canaan, showing no mercy and putting all the males to death. The chapter revealed that the Lord commanded Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan and promised him victory in this endeavor. Nevertheless, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering the land. The instructions concerning warfare in Deuteronomy chapter 20 reveal God’s concern with Israel’s faithfulness and obedience and the need to maintain a clear distinction between Israel and the nations surrounding them. They also depict the sternness with which God viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways that it would involve.
In particular, Deuteronomy 20:17-18 provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites. Moses instructed the Israelites not to fear their enemies because the Lord would fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Nevertheless, not all the Israelites were to participate in the war, and those who were exempted were to be sent home (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). In addition, those who were afraid were to inform the officers, so their fear was not to discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9).
The chapter reveals that the Lord desired that the Israelites did not engage in any unfaithfulness, which could lead them to following the detestable practices of the Canaanites. Moses provided these instructions when Israel was about to enter the land that the Lord had promised to give to Abraham’s descendants. Therefore, the chapter reveals that the Lord was concerned with Israel’s faithfulness, which He viewed as integral to their success in the conquest of Canaan. It also shows that the Lord valued obedience to His instructions, which He viewed as necessary for the prosperity of His people.
Thus, Deuteronomy chapter 20 provides instructions concerning Israel’s warfare practice. The Israelites were to show mercy to those who were not required to fight or did not want to and those who accepted their offers of peace. However, they were to show no mercy to the people of the nations that were in Canaan, putting all the males to death. Furthermore, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering Canaan, and they were to obey His instructions concerning the treatment of the people and the resources of the land.
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicted the instructions pertaining to Israel’s warfare practice when it was about to enter the Promised Land, where the people of numerous nations lived. The Lord wanted the Israelites to show mercy to those who did not want to fight but continue fighting those who refused to make peace and put all the males of the nations that were in Canaan to death. The sternness with which the Lord viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways, as well as the promise of victory when they were obeying Him, were also revealed in this chapter.
First of all, Moses addressed the Israelites’ potential fear when facing a more numerous enemy that possessed greater military advantages, such as horses and chariots. He assured them that they should not be afraid and remember that Lord brought them out of Egypt and marched with them. Next, Moses stated that before engaging in any warfare, priests should encourage the soldiers, assuring them that the Lord went with them and would fight for them, meaning that they should not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Moses continued by providing directions concerning those who were exempted from fighting. According to the instructions given by Moses, the officers should question the soldiers to determine whether they had recently built a house but had not dedicated it, planted a vineyard but had not eaten its fruit, or betrothed a woman but had not married her, and send them away if any of these was the case, since they could perish in the war and leave their belongings undistributed (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). Furthermore, the officers should detect fearful soldiers and send them home, so their fear would not discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9). Officers were to be appointed over the people who remained after those who were exempted or fearful had left (Deuteronomy 20:10). Moses continued by providing directions concerning the siege of cities.
When Israel was to engage cities belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, they were to offer them peace. If the people of the besieged city accepted Israel’s offer, they were to become servants to the Israelites and would be required to pay tribute. However, if the people of the besieged city did not accept this offer, Moses instructed the Israelites to surround the city and besiege it (Deuteronomy 20:10-12). According to Moses, if the Lord delivered the city into Israel’s hands, the soldiers were to put all the males to death but could take the women, children, animals, and spoil of the city as their plunder (Deuteronomy 20:13-14). These instructions applied to all cities not belonging to the nations that were in the land of Canaan.
However, the people of the nations that were in the land of Canaan, namely the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, were to be utterly destroyed, and Israel was not to make a covenant with them or allow them to live in the land (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). According to Moses, this instruction was related to Israel’s avoiding learning the detestable things of these nations and sinning against the Lord.
Moses announced that it was not right for the people of Israel to become unfaithful to the Lord by worshipping the false gods of the nations that they were supposed to conquer (Deuteronomy 20:17-18). The passage provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites.
Furthermore, Moses stated that when Israel was to besiege a city, the soldiers were not to cut down trees with axes to use their wood to build siege towers against the city, but they could use those that provided fruit for their sustenance (Deuteronomy 20:19).
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicts Israel’s warfare regulations concerning three distinct groups of people: those belonging to nations that were not in the land of Canaan, those belonging to nations that were in Canaan, and those who were not required to fight. The Israelites were to offer peace to the former group and treat them differently depending on whether they accepted Israel’s offer. In addition, they were to show mercy to the members of the third group.
However, they were to engage in a total war against the people of the nations that were in Canaan, showing no mercy and putting all the males to death. The chapter revealed that the Lord commanded Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan and promised him victory in this endeavor. Nevertheless, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering the land. The instructions concerning warfare in Deuteronomy chapter 20 reveal God’s concern with Israel’s faithfulness and obedience and the need to maintain a clear distinction between Israel and the nations surrounding them. They also depict the sternness with which God viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways that it would involve.
In particular, Deuteronomy 20:17-18 provides very stringent directions concerning the annihilation of the people of Canaan and their cities, which should be understood within the context of the particular war that Israel waged against the Canaanites. Moses instructed the Israelites not to fear their enemies because the Lord would fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). Nevertheless, not all the Israelites were to participate in the war, and those who were exempted were to be sent home (Deuteronomy 20:5-8). In addition, those who were afraid were to inform the officers, so their fear was not to discourage the rest of the army (Deuteronomy 20:9).
The chapter reveals that the Lord desired that the Israelites did not engage in any unfaithfulness, which could lead them to following the detestable practices of the Canaanites. Moses provided these instructions when Israel was about to enter the land that the Lord had promised to give to Abraham’s descendants. Therefore, the chapter reveals that the Lord was concerned with Israel’s faithfulness, which He viewed as integral to their success in the conquest of Canaan. It also shows that the Lord valued obedience to His instructions, which He viewed as necessary for the prosperity of His people.
Thus, Deuteronomy chapter 20 provides instructions concerning Israel’s warfare practice. The Israelites were to show mercy to those who were not required to fight or did not want to and those who accepted their offers of peace. However, they were to show no mercy to the people of the nations that were in Canaan, putting all the males to death. Furthermore, the Israelites were to dedicate themselves to the Lord in the task of conquering Canaan, and they were to obey His instructions concerning the treatment of the people and the resources of the land.
Deuteronomy chapter 20 depicted the instructions pertaining to Israel’s warfare practice when it was about to enter the Promised Land, where the people of numerous nations lived. The Lord wanted the Israelites to show mercy to those who did not want to fight but continue fighting those who refused to make peace and put all the males of the nations that were in Canaan to death. The sternness with which the Lord viewed the unfaithfulness of Israel and the perversion of His ways, as well as the promise of victory when they were obeying Him, were also revealed in this chapter.