Deuteronomy 20:2

Deuteronomy 20:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
• New International Version (NIV)When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people
• New King James Version (NKJV)So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.

Context of Deuteronomy 20:2

1When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, 3saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. 4For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Deuteronomy 20:2 word by word

וְהָיָ֕ה כְּקָֽרָבְכֶ֖ם אֶל־הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְנִגַּ֥שׁ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְדִבֶּ֥ר אֶל־הָעָֽם׃Read the interlinear

• When you are about toהָיָהhâyâh · to beH1961
• goקָרַבqârab · to present: comeH7126
• intoאֶל'êl 'el · to(wards)H413
• battleמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh · battleH4421
• the priestכֹּהֵןkôhên · priestH3548
• is to come forwardנָגַשׁnâgash · to approach: approachH5066
• and addressדָבַרdâbar · to speak: speakH1696
• the armyעַם‛am · peopleH5971

Cross-references for Deuteronomy 20:2

• Numbers 10:8The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. This shall be a permanent statute for you and the generations to come.
• Numbers 31:6And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.
• Judges 20:27And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,
• 1 Samuel 14:18Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
• 1 Samuel 30:7Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,
• 2 Chronicles 13:12Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 20:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2The priest shall approach, and speak unto the people - The priest on these occasions was the representative of that God whose servant he was, and whose worship he conducted. It is remarkable that almost all ancient nations took their priests with them to battle, as they did not expect success without having the object of their adoration with them, and they supposed they secured his presence by having that of his representative.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The priest - Not the high priest, but one appointed for the purpose, and called, according to the rabbis, “the anointed of the war”: hence, perhaps the expression of Jeremiah 6:4, etc. “prepare ye” (literally consecrate) “war.” Thus, Phinehas went with the warriors to fight against Midian (Numbers 31:6; compare 1 Samuel 4:4, 1 Samuel 4:11; 2 Chronicles 13:12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-42-4. when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people--Jewish writers say that there was a war priest appointed by a special ceremonial to attend the army. It was natural that the solemn objects and motives of religion should have been applied to animate patriotism, and so give additional impulse to valor; other people have done this. But in the case of Israel, the regular attendance of a priest on the…Read the comment

Topics related to Deuteronomy 20:2

• Armies
• Priest

In the dictionaries

• Faint
• Fearful
• Army
• Atonement, Day of
• Criticism
• Deuteronomy
• Exodus, the Book of
• Genesis
• Give
• Leviticus

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings