Deuteronomy 20:13 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:”

Deuteronomy 20:13

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, {that} all the people {that is} found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:

And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:

But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, {even} all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. {take: Heb. spoil}

Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities {which are} very far off from thee, which {are} not of the cities of these nations.

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Deuteronomy 20:1

"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, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."

Deuteronomy 20:2

"And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,"

Deuteronomy 20:3

"And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; {faint: Heb. be tender} {tremble: Heb. make haste}"

Deuteronomy 20:4

"For the LORD your God {is} he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."

Deuteronomy 20:5

"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."

Deuteronomy 20:6

"And what man {is he} that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not {yet} eaten of it? let him {also} go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it. {eaten...: Heb. made it common}"

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