Deuteronomy 20 explained: Rules for Going to War

Do not fear the bigger army (vv. 1-4)

Israel will face larger armies with horses and chariots and is told not to be afraid, because the God who brought them out of Egypt is with them. Before battle a priest tells the soldiers not to panic, since the LORD goes with them to fight for them and give them victory.

Who may go home (vv. 5-9)

Officers send home a man with a new house he has not yet lived in (some translations say not yet dedicated, likely a housewarming with celebration and prayer), a vineyard he has not yet enjoyed, or a fiancée he has not yet married, so he does not die and leave them to someone else. Anyone afraid may also leave so his fear does not spread, and only then are commanders put in charge.

Faraway cities (vv. 10-15)

Before attacking a distant city, Israel must first offer peace, and if it surrenders its people are made to serve Israel (one translation says forced labor, another says paying tribute and serving). If it fights and falls, every male is to be killed, and the women, children, animals and goods are taken as plunder.

The nations in the land (vv. 16-18)

For the six peoples named as living in the promised land, the command is to leave nothing alive that breathes, using a word for wholly handing something over to God by destroying it. The stated reason is to keep Israel from taking up their worship, and the command is read in very different ways, with some Jewish teachers holding that even these cities were first offered peace.

Spare the fruit trees (vv. 19-20)

Even in a long siege, soldiers may cut down only trees that do not bear food, for building siege works. The reason is put as a question, are the trees people that you should attack them, and Jewish tradition later grew this into a wider rule against needless waste.

Key verse: Deuteronomy 20:1

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on verses 16 to 18: some read them as a real command from God limited to that one time and place, others as sweeping war language typical of ancient texts (later books show these peoples still living in the land), and others as a human view of God that the rest of the Bible moves beyond.

Something to think about

This chapter sets mercy toward frightened soldiers and fruit trees beside orders to kill whole populations; what do you make of finding both in the same set of rules?