God’s Word Translation
Deuteronomy 20:2
2Before the battle starts, a priest must come and speak to the troops.
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 to war against your enemies, you may see horses, chariots, and armies larger than yours. Don’t be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, will be with you. Before the battle starts, a priest must come and speak to the troops. 3He should tell them, “Listen, Israel, today you’re going into battle against your enemies. Don’t lose your courage! Don’t be afraid or alarmed or tremble because of them. 4The Lord your God is going with you. He will fight for you against your enemies and give you victory.”
Read all of Deuteronomy 20Deuteronomy 20:2 word by word
וְהָיָ֕ה כְּקָֽרָבְכֶ֖ם אֶל־הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְנִגַּ֥שׁ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְדִבֶּ֥ר אֶל־הָעָֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Deuteronomy 20:2
- Numbers 10:8The sons of Aaron, the priests, will blow the trumpets. This will be a permanent law for you and your descendants.
- Numbers 31:6Then Moses sent them off to war, 1,000 men from each tribe along with Phinehas, son of the priest Eleazar. Phinehas took with him the holy articles and the trumpets for the fanfare.
- Judges 20:27In those days the ark of God’s promise was at Bethel.
- 1 Samuel 14:18Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the priestly ephod,” because Ahijah carried the ephod in front of Israel that day.
- 1 Samuel 30:7David told the priest Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring me the priestly ephod.” So Abiathar brought David the ephod.
- 2 Chronicles 13:12God is with us as our leader. His priests will sound their trumpets to call ⌞the army⌟ to fight you. Men of Israel, don’t wage war against the Lord God of your ancestors. You won’t 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
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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