God’s Word Translation
Deuteronomy 20:10
10When you approach a city to attack it, offer its people a peaceful way to surrender.
Deuteronomy 20:10 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
- New International Version (NIV)When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.
- English Standard Version (ESV)"When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“When you go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it.
Context of Deuteronomy 20:10
8The officers should also tell the troops, “If you are afraid or have lost your courage, you may go home. Then you won’t ruin the morale of the other Israelites.” 9When the officers finish speaking to the troops, they should appoint commanders to lead them. When you approach a city to attack it, offer its people a peaceful way to surrender. 11If they accept it and open ⌞their gates⌟ to you, then all the people there will be made to do forced labor and serve you. 12If they won’t accept your offer of peace but declare war on you, set up a blockade around the city.
Read all of Deuteronomy 20Deuteronomy 20:10 word by word
כִּֽי־תִקְרַ֣ב אֶל־עִ֔יר לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עָלֶ֑יהָ וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֵלֶ֖יהָ לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Deuteronomy 20:10
- 2 Samuel 20:18So she said, “There’s an old saying: ‘Be sure to ask at Abel ⌞before doing anything⌟. That’s the way they settle matters.’
- Isaiah 57:19I’ll create praise on their lips: “Perfect peace to those both far and near.” “I’ll heal them,” says the Lord.
- Zechariah 9:10He will make sure there are no chariots in Ephraim or war horses in Jerusalem. There will be no battle bows. He will announce peace to the nations. He will rule from sea to sea and from the ⌞Euphrates⌟ River to the ends of the earth.
- Luke 10:5Whenever you go into a house, greet the family right away with the words, ‘May there be peace in this house.’
- Acts 10:36God sent his word to the people of Israel and brought them the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ. This Jesus Christ is everyone’s Lord.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1Since we are God’s coworkers, we urge you not to let God’s kindness be wasted on you.
- Ephesians 2:17He came with the Good News of peace for you who were far away and for those who were near.
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 20:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10Proclaim peace unto it - Interpreters are greatly divided concerning the objects of this law. The text, taken in connection with the context, (see Deuteronomy 20:15-18;), appears to state that this proclamation or offer of peace to a city is only to be understood of those cities which were situated beyond the limits of the seven anathematized nations, because these latter are commanded to be totally destroyed. Nothing can be clearer than this from the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10-20Verses 10-20 Directions intended to prevent wanton destruction of life and property in sieges. Deuteronomy 20:16 Forbearance, however, was not to be shown toward the Canaanite nations, which were to be utterly exterminated (compare Deuteronomy 7:1-4). The command did not apply to beasts as well as men (compare Joshua 11:11, Joshua 11:14). Deuteronomy 20:19 The parenthesis may he more literally rendered “for man is a tree of the field,” i. e., has his life…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-12Verses 10-12 The Israelites are here directed about the nations on whom they made war. Let this show God's grace in dealing with sinners. He proclaims peace, and beseeches them to be reconciled. Let it also show us our duty in dealing with our brethren. Whoever are for war, we must be for peace. Of the cities given to Israel, none of their inhabitants must be left. Since it could not be expected that they should be cured of their idolatry, they would hurt…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-15The people living in the land of Canaan had already been placed under the ban (7:1–6). This means they were set apart for complete destruction as part of God’s judgment. So this command refers to other nations. It applies to people whom Israel would fight outside the land (20:15).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-2010-20. When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it--An important principle is here introduced into the war law of Israel regarding the people they fought against and the cities they besieged. With "the cities of those people which God doth give thee" in Canaan, it was to be a war of utter extermination (De 20:17, 18). But when on a just occasion, they went against other nations, they were first to make a proclamation…Read the comment
Topics related to Deuteronomy 20:10
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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