Deuteronomy 20:10

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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)“As you approach a town to attack it, you must first offer its people terms for peace.

Context of Deuteronomy 20:10

8Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” 9When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it. When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. 11If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. 12If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city.

Deuteronomy 20:10 word by word

כִּֽי־תִקְרַ֣ב אֶל־עִ֔יר לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם עָלֶ֑יהָ וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֵלֶ֖יהָ לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• When thou comest nighקָרַבqârab · to present: comeH7126
• unto a cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• to fightלָחַםlâcham · to fightH3898
• against it, then proclaimקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call toH7121
• peaceשָׁלוֹםshâlôm shâlôm · peaceH7965

Cross-references for Deuteronomy 20:10

• 2 Samuel 20:18She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it.
• Isaiah 57:19creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
• Zechariah 9:10I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
• Luke 10:5“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’
• Acts 10:36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
• 2 Corinthians 5:18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
• 2 Corinthians 6:1As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
• Ephesians 2:17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to 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

• Siege

In the dictionaries

• Faint
• Fearful
• Atonement, Day of
• Criticism
• Cruel; Cruelty
• 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